Selfish Actions Have Consequences
Last week brought back some not-so-nice memories of the past.
When I arrived at work a week ago, I learned that a young lady, in her early twenties, died in a car accident over the weekend.
People die every day. In fact, every time we turn on the television or surf the internet for news we hear of people dying in all sorts of ways. Sometimes I like not listening to the news so as to avoid all the bad things occurring in world.
However, this death bothered me because this person was killed by an allegedly drunk driver. This reminded me of how my dad was killed —by a driver under the influence.
As the week went by I learned more about this young person whose life was taken by an alleged driver under the influence. This is what I learned.
She was a twin. She was a Christian. She attended the same college I attended. She was a school teacher. She was the fiancé of another young person.
Saturday, a week ago, she attended a bridal shower. That evening she attended another pre-wedding event. On her way home from this event the car in which she was riding was hit by a car driven by an alleged drunk driver that crossed the interstate median. If that was not enough, another car traveling in the same direction struck the car too. That driver too was allegedly under the influence.
What turned from an upcoming week of excitement and expectations for her, her boy-friend, family members and friends turned into a week of mourning. She was buried on Friday, the day before her scheduled wedding. Surely by now you understand how one can mourn for someone you never have known because of the tragedy of the situation.
Throughout the week, whenever I remembered, I said a prayer for her family members, fiancé and friends. I also prayed for her students. I cannot imagine what it must be like to be a small child and learn that your teacher has been killed. I can imagine, though, the part of losing a member of your family to someone who was driving under the influence.
A lot of people take illegal drugs, prescription drugs, as well as drink alcohol and then get behind the steering wheel of an automobile. These people are selfish, carnal people. They think only of themselves and their pleasures in life. They fail to think how their actions and stupidity can result in the death of another person and ruin the lives of many, emotionally, for a very long time.
If you drive under the influence, you are placing yourself closer to being a murder than you could have ever imagined. The last time I checked, the Bible says, “thou shalt not kill.” That applies to all of us.
If you are doing anything behind the wheel of a car, be it any of the things I’ve mentioned, as well as speeding or texting, you place yourself in a better position to murder another human being.
In light of the festive seasons we are approaching, I encourage everyone to think twice about driving a vehicle if they are under the influence. Your choice could kill another of God’s creations—a valuable child of God.
May God continue to be with this family and with all families who have lost loved ones because of the selfish actions of others.