Egyházi Értesítő, 1994 (365-367. szám)
1994-08-01 / 367. szám
‘e'H q l ish szerio n t THE UNEXPECTED LESSON ‘Why do people drink and drive?’ asked my eight-year-old daughter, Melanie as we sat outside a fast food place. As the question continued, it became obvious, that she was worried about drunk drivers. Even after we discussed the issue, her anxiety continued, so I said: ‘Melanie, we need to pray’. I closed my eyes and said: ‘Father, please protect our family from ever being harmed by a drunk driver. And, Lord, if I ever see someone drinking and driving, give me the courage to get involved’. Moments later we stopped at a pizza parlour, to pick up my teenage daughter. A boy, about sixteen years of age parked his car next to mine then he took a swig from a bottle of beer. ‘Lord, is this a test?’ I thought silently. Melanie looked just as he took a second drink of beer. Her brown eyes opened wide.’Well?’she proclaimed, as if to imply: ‘Okay, Mum, do you practise what you preach?’ Then she continued, ‘Courage, Mum? Was that what you prayed for? And not even five minutes ago. Wliat are you going to do?’ I wasn’t sure as I watched the nice looking boy return with his pizza. Silently, I thought, ‘Lord, if you can get my feet out of the door, I’ll do it. Approaching his car, I said: ‘Excuse me, I saw you drinking a beer.’ ‘No,’ he replied, ‘It’s a Coke.’ ‘May I see it?’ ‘No.’ After a moment, he looked up at me and said, ‘What do you want?’ ‘I don’t want you to drink and drive.’ ‘So what are you going to do?’ he said politely. And then I told him the story of Melanie’s concern and my prayers and how not five minutes before I had prayed for the courage to get involved if I ever saw someone drinking and driving. And now he was parked right next to me at this “teacliable moment”. ‘Do you want me to get rid of it?’ ‘If you throw it away, I wont report you.’ Our eyes caught for a second or two. ‘I hope you have a nice life’ I said. As he tossed the bottle away, he walked over, smiled and said, ‘I just want to thank you for caring about me. ’ Linda Montoya Encounter Magazine October 1993 with permission Egyházi Érteritö 14 1994 augiuzlui hó
