Sassy Saturday

Today was a busy, busy day for the B.A.A.D. Family. We enjoyed a rare Saturday with the hubby home and it was wonderful....for the most part!

I am amazed sometimes how one small event can impact my entire day no matter how much I try to let it go. Hubby and I were cleaning out the upstairs and the garage in preparation for a garage sale next weekend. In the process our youngest dog got out of the house and took off down the street. Hubby went after her and I continued working in the garage.

Then I hear the sound of tires screeching around the corner and look up just in time to see a "neighbor" from the other end of our street flying in her jeep well above the speed limit. I yell out "SLOW IT DOWN PLEASE" only to hear a rather nasty reply of "SHUT UP &%(@#&". I was appalled!!! As the mother of small children I feel justified in yelling this at drivers who drive too fast down our relatively quiet residential street! She continues on and about 1/2 way down the street she encounters hubby and the dog on their trot back home. Hubby also tells her to slow down and again her response is something nasty! I heard her comment to my husband but he was unaware of my interaction with her just moments before. So, I take off walking down the street just MAD as can be! I'm not sure what I was expecting but I was practicing what I would say all the way to her house. I decided the "nice" approach would be the best one in this situation as she was obviously not a pleasant person. I knocked on her door and smiled my sweetest smile, introduced myself and told her that as a mother of two young children I would really appreciate it if she would drive a bit slower down our street because I would hate for anyone to get hurt. She proceeds to call me another name and tells me to keep my dog on a leash and then slams the door in my face. I was tempted to knock again and be not as nice this time but from the sound of the dogs barking in her house I thought maybe that wasn't in my best interest.

I walk all the way back home with steam just pouring out of my ears!!! I couldn't believe the feelings of anger and childishness I was having! I'm a Christian woman, a mother, I shouldn't be feeling the overwhelming urge to go egg this woman's car and ugly yellow boat! I shouldn't want to throw something at this person's car the next time she drives by my house!

So, I start thinking about how God expects us to FORGIVE, how he expects us to be UNDERSTANDING. I try to rationalize that maybe she is a good person who just had a bad day. Maybe she is upset because she just lost someone close to her. Maybe she doesn't have children of her own so she doesn't understand the protectiveness that only a mother can feel. I find this thought process to be somewhat helpful but I am still pretty shaken up by the whole event. Do these people not watch the news? Have they not heard the stories of children being hurt, paralyzed, killed by cars? Or do they simply think that it will never happen to them? I pray that it doesn't!

As I write this blog I am trying my best to keep close to my heart the following words of Christ:

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Luke 6:27-28 NIV

And I will pray for my heart to be full of love, grace and forgiveness just as God's heart is. I will continue to pray for the safety of my children and for all of the children in my care. I will pray for the softening of the neighbors heart and I will pray for God's help in letting go!

Now, I am off to enjoy a rented movie with my darling husband!

Love & Blessings,
Aubrie