IT WAS JUST A MOMENT!

So, a few days ago, I was driving out of the parking lot with a group of people on our way to celebrate one of my friend’s graduation. I have driven multiple times with ease, traveling hours at a time. As I was reversing out of the parking lot, though admittedly quite aggressively, I slammed into the back of one of my friend’s cars. I honestly cannot remember how it happened because it happened so fast. I was ashamed and embarrassed. Everybody froze for a moment as we grappled with what had just happened. A special day for my friend, and I “ruined” it. Dealing with the guilt of my friend’s understandable anger and hitting my friend’s (a different person) car all came crashing on me.

Of course, my initial response was to apologize, but I knew my apology could only go so far. Thankfully, we could move on with the day, trying to resolve everything. Well, rightfully so; guess who was not the driver that day anymore? I would not have wanted to; I was too stunned and a little shaken. I was engulfed with awkwardness yet tried to act cool as I concealed how I truly felt inside. As we were driving to our destination, my friend’s father, being so gracious, asked what lesson we could learn from this? One of my friends said, “In everything, give thanks!” A true statement, quite fitting because the situation could have been different. For example, someone could have been in the other car, or it could have been some stranger’s car who may not have received the accident well. Even though it was an apparent unpleasant situation, God’s hands were still evident throughout. We do not usually see it at the moment, though.

I cannot exactly remember my answer, but it had something to do with “It was just a moment.” As I uttered those words, it made me realize that it was indeed just a moment. The smash happened in a few seconds, and life went on. Often, we try to imprison ourselves in the mistakes of our lives where we no longer live in. We allow ourselves to remain shackled by the guilt and shame of the moment. We tend to hold on to what happened in the moment for the rest of our lives. However, we must realize that one thing we cannot change is what occurred at that moment. It already happened. But I understand how difficult it can be to move forward when people keep categorizing us by that one moment.

How many of us see on Facebook the video/meme about how “Noah was a drunkard, David was an adulterer, Peter was a cusser, etc.”? These people are categorized by one moment of their lives. In The Bible, there was only one instance where Noah was drunk, David slept with another man’s wife, and where Peter cursed. We keep labeling them by one moment. Unfortunately, that is the kind of culture we live in. We hold people to a moment for the rest of their lives.

I want you to know that you are not defined by that moment. So, do not allow that moment to define who you are. Yes, you did it. Yes, it happened. But guess what? You are not there anymore. The day has already passed, so why remain there? Regardless of how people may view you, stand firm in who you know yourself to be. One mistake, one bad decision does not cancel who you are. It is not downplaying the situation, but it is not allowing the situation to control you. Learn from the moment, for there are lessons to be learned. Grow from the moment, and do not let it go to waste. God can take that moment and turn it into a message to help somebody else.

I also want to say that if a person close to you cannot get past that moment, they do not need to be around you. A friend should be able to understand your heart to know your true intentions. You do not need friends who will keep rehearsing what you did. You need people who are gracious enough to walk you through it, even if you were the one who caused it.

It was just a moment. Time went on, so you can too!