A Body in the Road

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There is now way to describe my shock when I saw a body lying in the middle of the road yesterday. I was on my way to my Sunday morning run. It was early, and it was still dark, very dark.

I watched a car in front of me swerve to miss it. I slammed on my brakes to avoid running over it also.

At first, I thought it was a bag of trash. Then when I saw someone’s head poking out of the top of a winter coat. I was stunned.

Was she dead? Did someone dump her body out of a car? Was it a hit and run? Or, was this a set up? Was there someone else lurking in the woods to rob an innocent passerby? This was some freaky stuff.

Of course I called 911. Thankfully the paramedics and sheriff arrived soon thereafter. The good news is the woman was only drunk and not dead.

Later that morning, Jonathan Garner, a CrossPointer and a Palmerdale paramedic who attended the distressed woman at the scene informed me that was very inebriated. Jonathan also informed me the woman wanted to end her life. He said her story was one of much despair.

This story is tragic in so many ways.

It is sad to think that someone was full of that much dejection. What would cause her to do something so wasteful? One or two cars later, and the woman’s family would have been viewing her body at the morgue and not at the hospital.

It is also sad to consider how many other vehicles drove by her without stopping. I counted five while I waited on the paramedics. Perhaps they did not want to get involved.

As I reflect on the incident today, I am most concerned for the young lady’s soul. I prayed for her yesterday and again today. I am praying she discovers the peace of Christ. I pray also she finds the hope in life that only Christ can give. And this morning, I wonder how many other people are lying in a road in their own mind, waiting for someone to end their misery.

Fascinating way to begin 2012, wouldn’t you agree? I wonder how many more people the Lord will place in my path in the coming days.