06 May 2009

Don't Shoot the Messenger!!!

Ok, let me just preface this by saying it is NOT aimed at anyone in particular! I have a lot of friends (who I love) who do this and this is not meant to be a scolding of them.

But I was convicted to write this post awhile back (like 3 months ago) and I have put off actually writing it until now...
How many know it's never a good idea to procrastinate on something you think God is telling you to do???
Even now -- as I sit typing -- the words are just pouring out.
Perhaps this is to be a warning for someone I love.
Or maybe for a complete stranger.
Or maybe just for me.
Whatever the reason, just know that I felt REALLY, REALLY compelled to write it.

A couple weeks ago, I heard about this story and I could not shake it from my mind.
Then, last week, I saw a member of my church doing the same thing.
At least, I think it was a member... they were leaving the church parking lot. I didn't really get a good look at them, but that's beside the point.

My point is this: What would it do to your testimony -- not to mention your life --if you accidentally killed someone because you were texting while driving?

Yes, I realize there were other things at play (like speeding) when the woman in the article slammed into a bunch of stopped cars, but there doesn't need to be any other extenuating circumstances for something like this to happen.
As stories like this and this point out, even experienced texters are at risk...
And who can forget these shocking photos?
This young man was texting and accidentally veered into oncoming traffic. He did not survive.


Maybe you think: "Well, but I'm always careful and nothing has happened yet..."
That doesn't mean it won't.
Maybe you think -- because you are a Christian or a good person -- that God won't let anything happen to you while you do this, but He will.
Just as someone who binges on food will become fat and someone who smokes may get lung cancer... even if they are Christians.
Even Christians have to face the consequences of their actions.
And so will their families.

If the articles/pictures/rationale above doesn't sway you, then let me appeal to the very basic fact, that as Christians, we are instructed and expected to obey all laws. Furthermore, we should be ever mindful of how our behaviors are being observed and interpreted by others. What we DO is far more important than what we SAY.

If the deacon of a large church texts while driving and causes a wreck, it won't matter that he's a deacon. He will go to jail.
If a nursery volunteer is texting and accidentally hits and kills a pedestrian, a life is still lost. She has taken a life for a moment of her own convenience.
And she will have to account for that life.

I don't care how important the text may be or if you are too busy to stop, if you need to read/return a text,
PULL OVER
.
Or wait for the next stop light.
If you have a wreck while texting, you'll be a whole lot later than if you had just pulled over for 2 minutes.

Like I said, I don't know who this was meant for, but if you are convicted by it, consider yourself warned.
God may be trying to tell you something
.




11 comments:

Carole Turner said...

I TRY to wait for a red light ;-)

Lesley said...

Thank you for this post!! Everything you said in it is SO very true. Texting and driving is extremely, EXTREMELY dangerous.

A year or so ago, a friend of my stepdaughter's was texting and driving - while she was also drunk - and ultimately ended up wrecking her car. The car flipped several times and ended up crash landing into a very steep ditch.

By the GRACE OF GOD, no one else was involved in the accident. Thankfully she is still alive today. However, she ended up with a broken collar bone, some cuts, bruises and a totalled out car. I hope and pray that she learned several life saving lessons from that accident.

If you think you are invincible, think again... you're not. None of us are.

So stop texting while driving. Do it for yourself. Do it for me. Do it for my children. Do it for that stranger in the car next to you at the red light. Do it for anyone and everyone who cares about you. Do it for every stranger and their family.

Thank you again Summer!!!
Love you!

The Maggio Family said...

Yep....totally agree. Actually, a law has passed in Louisiana now, so not only is it a bad example as a Christian, its criminal. Oh, while we are on texting, I think it is VERY rude to text while you are visiting with someone. I am so serious. I have had lunch with a number of people and they just text the whole time you are talking or leave their cell phone on the table. What ever happened to good ol' manners and enjoying the person you are with for that moment?! (exception would be if you have a child or emergency phone call you were expecting), but in general, its just rude.

daphne said...

Thanks. I am so mad when I do it and yet...still I do. You are right. It can wait. I may need to try putting my phone out of reach and just explain to those who call me regularly that i will no longer answer while driving without my headset on. Yeah. That is what I am gonna do. Grace & Peace, daphne

Cynthia Wood said...

Arkansas has also passed a law making it a crime to text while driving, no matter what your age. I think it started to be considered after the awful accident in CA with the guy driving a commuter train - BIG wreck. Mom

Shannon M. said...

Well, you know I don't text ;) but I talk on the cell phone way too much while driving. And it's very dangerous, too. I really should make it a personal policy not to talk while driving.

@TheMaggioFamily I'm WITH YOU on the manners thing. People really are rude with their electronics.

Unknown said...

Summer, I see MANY ppl doing the texting thing in their cars, daily.
Adults and youngsters, those being passengers and the drivers. Driving and texting should be in the same catagory as DRINKING and driving--if you are texting, your driving is impaired and definitely distracted.

Anonymous said...

Amen.

Anonymous said...

veritas.

daphne said...

The Maggio Family, can you tell me where you got the info on LA law? Hope B told me a few months ago a law had passed but when I looked into it, it was not true. I hope this time it is. Just like to get my info verified

HerstoryGirl said...

Hey Daphne,

Here is the info about the new texting/cell phone laws in Louisiana.

http://www.drivinglaws.org/la.php

Definitely illegal now.