The Value Of Stuff

I learned a lesson this evening. This is not something I like to admit often, but I was clearly overreacting and it left a mark on my very soul.

So there's this vehicle--a 2010 Honda Pilot--and I doubt there is a more proud owner of a vehicle out there than I am. After all, it's more than likely the LAST vehicle I will purchase while our children are living at home. I picked out just the right package and options to fit our lifestyle:
1. Leather seats
2. DVD system
3. XM satellite radio
4. Rear back up camera
5. Retractable sunroof
6. 6 Disc CD changer
7. Rockin' wheels/tinted windows
8. 8 passenger seating

Basically, it has every bell and whistle I ever wanted on a vehicle.
I LOVE to drive this beauty, and it has actually taken me a while to even get used to the idea that it is, in fact, MINE. I've owned it for just over 2 months now, and I make sure to take extra good care of it.

That's where we get in to the lesson...

On December 17th, while visiting my brother (Josh) in Houston, we were involved in a collision. We had just exited a major highway and were waiting at the stoplight--completely at a stand still behind my brother's car, when a drunk driver slammed into us from behind going about 35-40mph. It was a horrible feeling. After the impact, my first reaction was ANGER. How dare some idiot rear end my new car?!? Oh jeez...how bad is it? Are we going to make it back to Amarillo?
Yes, of course I made sure all passengers (John, Caitlin, and Caroline were with me, and Christian was with my bro) were safe before I jumped out to give that stupid driver a piece of my mind. When I approached the other driver, I instantly smelled alcohol. That made me even more furious. I saw the front of his car first--it was totaled for sure. Then my eyes turned to my car's rear end. Amazingly, there was very little visible damage. My tow hitch (and of course my Father) saved us from what could have been a nasty crash, and the car has been perfectly drivable.

(Now don't get me started on Houston PD. They still refuse to release the man's insurance information, so my car has yet to even be looked at for repairs. But, that's a whole other blog in and of itself.)

For the past 2 weeks, all I have been able to think about is how mad I am at that driver for hurting my vehicle. What nerve! It was my perfect baby...the ultimate ride...my dream car. UGGGGGG!!!!!!

So tonight, as we were piling out of said vehicle to enter the Chili's restaurant for a relaxing family dinner, John hollered at me to come inspect the back of the 2nd row seat where Caitlin sits--Christian sits behind her in the 3rd row. Lo and behold, there were 16 tiny holes, the size of a penpoint all over the back of the headrest and upper back of the seat.
Oh.My.Gosh.

I came unraveled like a cheap pair of pantyhose.

WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ACT OF TREASON AGAINST MY VEHICLE?!?
SOMEONE WAS GONNA PAY AND PAY DEARLY!!

After much discussion with the children, we finally got the truth. Apparently, Christian got bored on the way home from Houston, and he decided to use the stylus from his Nintendo DS to do some hole punching in the seat.
I went through anger/nausea/sadness/disappointment/etc, all within a 2 minute time period. I wanted him to know just what a bad thing he had done.
Let's see...I could give him 16 swats--one for every hole...I could sell his Nintendo DS...he could be grounded until he is 16...he could ride on the roof rack from now on...

The more I ranted and raved, the more he cried. His poor little tear-stained face was pitiful. Deep down I knew he hadn't meant to be a bad boy. In fact, he probably just thought it was interesting and kept poking holes without even considering the consequences of such actions.

Now, I know my reaction would not have won me the Mother Of The Year Award, nor was it necessarily justified. I just couldn't understand why these things were happening to my most prized possession.
SERIOUSLY?!?!
I tried to reason with John (who was really being a cool cucumber about it all, much to my displeasure) and get him to punish Christian appropriately for the damage he had done. I just wanted him to do something...anything...so I would feel better.

That's when reality hit.

If I always got what I deserved for my mistakes, I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have a loving husband, 3 children, or a nice car to drive.
I wouldn't have eternal life either.

I had to tell myself, "Mel, it's just...a...car. It is just a thing, not a person. The little boy sitting in the back seat is MUCH more valuable than a piece of leather any day. It can be fixed. The rear bumper damage from the accident will be fixed. It can all be FIXED." I needed to stop putting so much value in my car and see that there is, in fact, a bigger lesson going on here.

Thank goodness Father doesn't give me every bit of punishment I deserve.

And just so you know, that sweet boy of mine didn't get his swats...or his Nintendo DS taken away...or anything else I had conjured up. He got his daddy's love, his momma's love, and our forgiveness, for he was TRULY sorry.

Oh yeah, and the drunk driver---I had to forgive him and just hope that by hitting us, he will be taken off the streets and not be allowed to hurt anyone else. I am thankful it's not my job to give him what he deserves, either.

"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness." ~Robert Muller

~Mel