Graduation is one of those things in life that we celebrate! Celebrations are not meant to turn tragic but they can.
The father answered the phone. Calls at this time rarely brought good news. This was not good news! The voice on the other end of the phone was not one of his friends. It was the voice of the local law enforcement agency. His daughter was taken to the emergency room. She was critically injured in an auto accident. His heart broke as he awakened his wife.
The drive to the hospital was silent. Neither of them knew what to say. Silently they just prayed that the worst was not what they would find when they arrived at the hospital. But they did. Graduation had turned into tragedy.
The father could not resist going to the scene of the accident. He had to see with his own eyes. He needed some answers. The story unfolded as the law enforcement people on the scene informed him that apparently the driver and the others in the vehicle had been drinking. They were celebrating their graduation.
The father's heart was filled with rage as he took from the car an empty bottle. He made a vow that he would find who sold this bottle to minors and they would pay. His revenge would be justice.
There was only one thing to do but go home. He went back home and they all wept. How could this be?
As he roamed around the house still in shock of the night's events, he noticed one of the cabinet doors slightly open.. He went to close the cabinet and a note fell out on the floor. There in in an all too familiar handwriting he read these words, "Dad, borrowed a bottle to celebrate. Didn't think you would mind!" Signed by his daughter.
When things happen in life, often the responsibility falls at our own feet. We think it is outside of us but it is not. Maybe this tragic story teaches us to be mindful of the examples we set. For the examples we set cost more than we can ever imagine.
Pray for me as I pray for you.
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