Catherine Brown

Just the other evening I was on my way to a speaking engagement, when my journey was unexpectedly interrupted. As is often the way in life, detours and road blocks are rarely anticipated and can have some interesting and occasionally frustrating consequences. This was no exception and this particular episode proved to be a worthwhile reminder to me to stay calm and focused whilst responding to life's occasional "curve ball".

A "curve ball" is a baseball term, which can be described as a "breaking pitch in baseball thrown with a grip and hand movement that imparts down and/or sideways spin to the ball." A curve ball is slower than a fastball but can have much more devastating effect when thrown by an experienced pitcher. The curve ball is thrown with top spin and can move horizontally as well as in a downwards fashion. It is unpredictable and not easy to handle - rather like life's unforeseen incidents!

After setting off from home I noticed that my petrol tank was almost empty and I urgently needed to fill up. Had I planned my trip details well in advance, I would not have left this important re-fuelling task until the last moment. Truth is, I didn't follow my own best intentions and had to deal with the ensuing consequences of my own oversight. Rushing into the petrol station, I parked the car at the nearest available pump and was immediately frustrated at a male driver who cut in front of me and parked his huge van at a rather ridiculous angle thus blocking my exit path. Ignoring this tactless manoeuvre for the time being I quickly hopped outside to fill up. I ran to the cashier, paid for the fuel and rushed back, conscious of the passing minutes that brought me ever closer to my speaking deadline. Nodding to my travelling companion I looked at the van in front still parked askew and decided to risk an attempted pass, by driving up the side of it. In my mind's eye I was sure there would be enough room to take my people carrier through. Unfortunately, my eye did not accurately measure up to the actual space available and within seconds the discomforting sound of scraping metal confirmed this. I was now jammed in between the pavement and the van and to make matters worse the van driver was mad at me and yelling at the top of his voice.

The Petrol Station

There were three options available to me at this point and only one of them would get me to my meeting on time. Crying or getting angry just wouldn't fix my driving dilemma, so I purposed to stay calm and speak to the puce-faced male in front of me. Despite my best efforts, the man erupted at me and with flaring nostrils, demanded that I admit I was "a stupid woman driver." In fact this 'gentleman' was so irked by my driving skills that he resolutely refused to move his van until I admitted the error of my ways! With equally dogged determination, I purposed to find a way of moving my vehicle, which did not involve such verbal humiliation! A quick glance backwards confirmed that I was well and truly stuck and the only way I could move my car was if the van driver relented and drove forwards. By now he had sat down, crossed his arms and gleefully awaited my response. There had to be a way of dodging the dreaded 'woman driver' phrase; a compromise of some sort...

I quietly walked up to the van and said, "Sir, I will admit this was not my best driving." Before I could say another word, he turned the key in the ignition, looked triumphantly at me and announced, "I don't mind moving now you have admitted you are a terrible woman driver." Quick as you like I retorted, "Well my driving might not have been brilliant today but you must admit, your parking was clumsy" With as cheeky a smile as the situation would permit, I grinned at him and jumped into the driver's seat of my car. He reluctantly pulled off and we were finally on our way with my self-respect almost intact and just a few minor scratches on the paint work to join the others that already tattoo the side of our vehicle.

The Pit Bull Terrier

A few deep breaths and about 15 motoring miles later, we arrived in one piece, found a safe (and legal) place to park and entered the building on time (no vans or male drivers anywhere in sight). Despite knowing that I was going to be speaking at an outreach meeting to numerous addicts, I was not prepared for one further unanticipated and most unwelcome interruption. Whilst waiting for the meeting to begin, we had sat down with some of the folks who had come along. We were engaged in idle chit chat when suddenly and without any warning an unmuzzled pit bull terrier jumped up from under our table. My colleague and I nearly jumped three feet into the air with fright. To make matters worse, the dog owner attempted to stand up and restrain the beast but being "under the influence" he lost his balance, fell over and in the ensuing debacle knocked over a whole row of chairs, whilst the equally confused dog ran round in circles creating canine chaos for a short period of time until the dog, his owner and the chairs were all put back in place and some sense of order was resumed.

It was into this unusual setting that I was now required to put my fear of the dog to one side, don my "preacher's" hat and deliver a stirring message that would change lives and mend broken hearts. I am grateful that God has given me a good sense of humour. I discovered a long time ago that a little laughter goes a long way in life's journey. I thought about the purple faced angry driver I had left behind in the petrol station and looked into the eyes of the dazed and doped man and his 'best friend' the pit bull. I paused for a moment to consider God's love for mankind.

Jesus always made time to meet with people and I'm quite sure along the way He must have encountered some challenging circumstances and people. As a preacher Himself, no doubt the Lord had to deal with the odd mad dog or maniac (no offence intended), but no matter what He faced, Jesus responded with compassion and wisdom. When a severely demonised man rushed to attack, Jesus didn't lose His cool. Instead, He prayed and an exorcism of enormous proportion took place. The man left his encounter with Christ in his right mind and with a new purpose and plan for His life. We can be assured that no matter what "curve ball" life pitches at us, there is one thing we can be certain of: Jesus Christ is an ace Catcher and won't let us fall!