Gratitude Gap

 

I reversed the new-to-us car into the parking bay, concerned that my water bottle had leaked onto the passenger seat. I uncharacteristically slipped the gear into neutral and turned off the engine, distracted by the wet spot on the seat. I didn’t put on the hand brake.

Fussing needlessly over the seat, I was startled when the car suddenly crunched into the perimeter grille of the parking building. I had rolled across the line of traffic coming into the structure, through an empty parking bay and … crump.

It didn’t look too bad. Until Doug looked at it when I got home, and noticed a tear, an impact result and a few more scratches.

First time I’d driven the car. A moment of carelessness and a resulting saga of body shop repairs and bills.

This morning, though, I’m thanking God for what didn’t happen. I didn’t broadside some unsuspecting driver looking for a parking space. Nobody broadsided me. I didn’t mow down a sick or elderly patient staggering towards the hospital (that’s where I was). Or a child.

Trying to get my head into the gratitude gap this morning rather than the if-only mode. I do thank God for his grace and mercy, for the protection he affords daily, even when unfortunate events happen.

It’s only metal. Could have been so much worse. Thank you, Lord.