Bondage of an Evaded Car Crash

Last night I narrowly avoided a horrific car accident. My actions to evade the crash resulted in almost causing another crash behind me. I had my daughter in the car with me and I was quite shaken. From the cars behind me, one woman closely followed me, flashing her lights. When I stopped to wait for a light to change, she pulled beside my car and started screaming at me. I just kept saying I was sorry, but it didn't help to quell her threats or her voice. She finally drove off.

The incident bothered me all night - I kept wondering "Did I cause an accident behind me? Am I at fault for someone's injuries?" These questions haunted me until morning when I was able to call the police department - completely prepared to take responsibility for my actions. Thankfully, there was no accident at that location last night. With that weight lifted, I my thoughts began to focus on the woman who screamed at me.

I understand she was terrified, so was I, and everyone else involved. But what motivated her to go out of her way to blast me and threaten me? I narrowed it down to two things: Either she had pent up anger that this brought to the surface and exploded, or she felt it was her obligation to make sure I knew how she felt and that I needed to be punished. Perhaps it was both, but I'm going with the latter.

I've come across these people a few times in my life, and I surely seem to rub them the wrong way. They are the self-imposed morally elite, the watchdogs of ethical behavior based on what their parents, society, and the church have deemed as our collective values. Always on the lookout for infringements, they must not only hold up these standards, but feel impelled to punish those who commit infractions to the code. What a burden this must be. My heart hurts for them. If they are treating us in this manner, I can't imagine how they constantly self-check their own behaviors to make sure that every thought, word, and deed are morally aligned with their beliefs - and constantly self-checking that their beliefs are aligned with those who deem which beliefs are acceptable.

My wish is for them to be released from their bondage, free to think alternative thoughts, free to make mistakes, and free to forgive those who almost caused their car to crash.