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It was an unexpected encounter! 

A profound, unforgettable conversation which unfolded in a most unusual setting. My second attempt to have the issue of my ‘growling’ vehicle brakes attended to had not been resolved as promptly as I had hoped.  The helpful service professionals at the dealership had dealt with the problem in a methodical, sensible approach only for me to discover the following day that the problem was ongoing. 

Once again, when I arrived to pick up my vehicle, the Service Manager thoughtfully explained their strategy for that day. And to my response that I’d hoped they would replace the brake pads, which I was convinced were the cause of the problem, he suggested, “Well, let’s take it for a drive and check it out.”

After exiting the property, I drove only a short distance before pulling off the four-lane highway to negotiate a return toward the dealership. I proceeded past their location and into the left-turn lane that would allow me to exit the highway again and drive back onto their site.  By now the approaching traffic in both oncoming lanes bore witness that this was rush hour, making a left-turn risky, and likely a rather long delay.

Sitting there quietly, waiting and watching the approaching traffic, I suddenly became conscious of exactly where my vehicle was pointed.  That sobering realization and its painful implication led me to state quietly that, “It’s okay.  I have time.  I can wait!’ 

Pointing out the service station ahead of us to the left, I noted the grove of trees directly across the highway to the right, stating, “That’s where my Mother died!”

Stunned that the words had tumbled out before reflection, I was appalled that I had exposed my family’s pain to someone I didn’t know, in this most unusual, brief encounter.  I fell silent in shock, the atmosphere hushed!  Then, with kindness he responded, “That must be so painful! (further stillness – then….) “You must think of that every time you drive by here!!”

“Yes,” I agreed, “I certainly did - in the beginning, but then I had to learn to be okay with not remembering it each time.  I gradually came to understand that it would be unhealthy to carry that heavy burden of holding myself responsible to remember it each and every time I passed by.”

“Actually, it was a mercy that Mom’s passing came quickly, since she had suffered for many years with two debilitating diseases, which had seriously limited her life.  We knew that she was instantly with the Lord she knew and loved so well!  And we were grateful that there were no other major injuries.”

“On that day, my Father had mistakenly entered the wrong side of the divided highway, proceeding south in the north-bound lanes, eventually colliding with a large truck, then coming to rest in that grove of trees.  And that was what I couldn’t understand!  That after so many years of faithfully serving Mom and our family, Dad had to learn to live with the burden of his human responsibility for this tragedy.”

A prolonged stillness ensued, as the oncoming traffic continued to speed past our vehicle.

From the passenger seat, a sombre voice declared, “And I’m trying to come to terms with my Son’s passing!  I miss him so much….. I think of him every day!!”  Another opportunity for stunned silence was followed by my heart-felt expression of,  “Ohhh….and that must be so painful for you!  I cannot imagine losing your child!”

It was becoming evident that we had not come this way by mistake.  Our hearts in agreement, we pondered how sometimes life is incredibly harsh.  “I don’t know about you,” I mused, “but I have some pretty big, unanswered questions for God.  But I’m sure glad He’s bigger than all my questions, and I can leave them with Him.  They’re too heavy for me to carry!”

As the flow of oncoming traffic eventually cleared, I was able to turn left from the highway and head back to the dealership, where the Service Manager rushed off to a meeting.

And yes, on my follow-up visit to the dealership those brake pads were replaced.  But perhaps it wasn’t really about the brakes after all…..

That amazing conversation lingers in my memory of this most unusual encounter.  We were fellow travellers for a moment in time, held captive as life passed us by, startled by the unexpected intensity of our shared vulnerability and an opportunity to extend and receive compassion.  Marvelling at his tender longing for the son he had loved and lost, it was my great privilege to catch a glimpse of this Father’s heart.

Perhaps this poignant reminder directs us gently to the loving sovereignty of our Heavenly Father who longs for us to turn toward Him in life’s joyful moments and its tragedies, trusting His good heart even when we can’t understand His purposes.


I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.