It was a sunny Wednesday afternoon in the neighbourhoods of suburbia. The trees were green, the birds were chirping, and the streets were alive with the laughter of children on summer break. For John, it was just another day in his fast-paced life. As a successful young businessman, he was always on the go, racing between meetings, phone calls, and errands. He never seemed to slow down enough to appreciate the little moments.
John was driving down Elm Street in his brand new BMW, exceedingly proud of his shiny luxury vehicle. He was driving a bit too fast, scanning the sidewalks for any children who might dart out between the parked cars. He slowed briefly when he thought he spotted something, but no children appeared.
Suddenly, a loud smash jolted him from his thoughts. A brick had collided with the side door of his BMW, leaving a large dent. John slammed on the brakes, threw the car in reverse, and raced back to find the culprit. He jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest child, and angrily pushed him against a parked car.
"What was that all about? Who are you?" John shouted. "Do you have any idea how much that dent is going to cost to fix? Why would you throw a brick at my new car?"
The young boy looked apologetic, on the verge of tears. "Please, mister. I'm so sorry, I didn't know what else to do," he pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop." Still crying, the boy pointed around a parked car. "It's my brother. He fell out of his wheelchair over there and I can't lift him up. He's hurt and too heavy for me."
John's anger melted away instantly, replaced by shame and heartbreak. He hurried over and gently lifted the handicapped boy back into his wheelchair, using his fancy handkerchief to dab at the boy's scrapes and cuts. Luckily, it seemed he would be okay.
"Thank you, and may God bless you," said the boy gratefully. John was too emotional to respond. He walked slowly back to his BMW, suddenly noticing the damage for the insignificant thing it was. He decided to keep the dent, to remind himself of this message:
Sometimes God has to throw a brick at us to get our attention. We go through life in such a hurry that we miss the whispers of wisdom and opportunities to show compassion. It takes a jolt to alert us to what really matters.
When you think you're having a bad day, remember there are others facing greater struggles. When you think the universe is against you, look around at all you have. Reframe your perspective, be grateful, and pay kindness forward. Listen for the gentle guidance of God, so He doesn't need to resort to extreme measures. If you're only focused on the rat race, you might get hit by a brick. Slow down, breathe, open your eyes, and bless someone else when you can.
John kept the dent in his BMW as a reminder of the valuable lesson he learned that day from a child. Our lives are hectic and full of distractions, but we must not be so hurried and self-concerned that we miss chances to make a difference. By opening our minds and hearts to others, our own problems diminish. The blessings we give return to us tenfold. We just need the right perspective to see life as the gift it is.
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