Thought for 27November

Mark 2:1-3

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 

They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralysed man, carried by four of them.

A doting mother, she has been left paralysed from the neck down and requires around-the-clock care after a teenager crashed into her car minutes after filming himself steering with his knees. The 51-year-old fitness instructor, had been waiting to turn right in her Skoda Fabia while driving on the A47 on 18 January last year, when she was hit by the Volkswagen Golf. The 19-year-old from Cambridgeshire had held his licence for less than 12 weeks at the time of the collision, and was using his phone throughout his journey to college, Norfolk Police said. Norfolk Police also said the 19-year-old recorded five videos over the space of an hour, showing him driving his car at speed and overtaking other vehicles while using his knees on the steering wheel, as well as making two phone calls and sending texts.

Unfortunately Jesus was not around to make a difference to this mother’s injuries, her family have to look after her for the rest of her life. She will miss so much of her son’s life, as her family will miss the person she was. Norfolk Police said Taylor recorded five videos over the space of an hour, showing him driving his car at speed and overtaking other vehicles while using his knees on the steering wheel, as well as making two phone calls and sending texts.

 

However, the boy (because really that is what he was) responsible has probably done just as much injury to himself (mentally). He likely did not set out that day thinking he would have an accident, although he must have realised, he was driving recklessly but it obviously didn’t enter his head that he might cause a horrific accident. The young man was imprisoned for 2 years and two months and disqualified for 40 months with an extended test before driving again. How often do we wonder when this youthful stupidity will stop?

Without meaning to be nasty, I need to say I hope he will use his time in prison reflecting on what he did and the damaged he caused. I hope he can find the LORD and change his life around, although it’s a rough way to do that.

If the woman’s family are believers they will, hopefully be leaning on Jesus for strength and comfort. Being in that position is something I pray none of us has to experience but imagine being without God if it did happen. It doesn’t bear thinking about.

When Jesus comes back all illness and injury will be behind us, we will be in the presence of the master, who will heal all the hurts we have ever experienced.

Prayer

Unfailing God in heaven. Please accept our thinks for all you provide for us each day, our gratitude does not cover Your generosity to us. Almighty Father we ask Your thoughts and blessings on all those who are afflicted like the woman in the story and the young man responsible for her present condition. Help both families to heal as best they can and the young man to find the path of Jesus. Lord Jesus, help those who design motor vehicles to find a way to prevent people from using phones and other distractions when driving. Or change the thought process to make people realise that a car is a lethal weapon if used wrongly. Let Your holy Spirit be with us when we are in positions that could be harmful, Lord we pray in Your own precious name, Amen.