The Insurance Claim
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with an amazing story about grace.
My friend, Careen Peterson, is a delightful Christian with whom I’ve been traveling for almost 15 years. She’s such a great traveling companion, and has journeyed with me and my husband when I have spoken in Thailand, India, Malaysia, Ethiopia, England, Germany, El Salvador, Peru, and so many other places. And in all those years and countless miles, I do not believe I have ever heard her complain. It’s why everyone loves Careen. She has such a Christ-like disposition and most people are just, well they are drawn to her.
On a recent trip, she told me a most unusual story. She was in a tight spot in a parking lot, and when she tried to back her car out and turn around, she felt a jolt – a car had been in her blind spot and Careen had backed into it and hit the bumper. Both drivers immediately got out of their cars. Careen could tell right away that this young girl was so flustered. All she could do was wring her hands and say over and over, “Oh my goodness, I’ve never been in a car accident; this has never happened to me (she was so nervous), what am I going to do? I don’t know what to do.”
Well, Careen could see that this girl needed help, and so first she apologized and said, “Don’t worry, calm down. This whole thing was entirely my fault and I take full responsibility for the accident. Let’s walk through this together. First you get out your iPhone; I’ll get out mine and each of us just needs to take photos of each other’s license and insurance card. And what you’ll do next, you will call your insurance agent, and I’ll call mine, and they’ll talk to each other and your agent will probably give you the phone numbers of a few mechanics who will give you an estimate. And then you’ll get your car fixed, then you’ll submit the claim, and they will take care of it for you. It’s easy. And my insurance agent will take care of me. Everything is going to be just fine!”
I’ll tell you what, this young woman breathed a sigh of relief, she was so appreciative, nodding the whole time as Careen walked her through step-by-step instructions. What’s amazing about that? Well, the natural reaction might be to do nothing; just let the other driver be frustrated or nervous and not say a word. But because Careen made the extra effort, as a Christian, to assure this young girl that she would not try to blame her for her own mistake, everyone relaxed. The tension was drained all because Careen responded with a Godly response. She was not obligated to walk this woman through step 1, 2, 3 on what to do after you are in an accident, but Proverbs 15, verse 1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” And Proverbs 16, verse 21 says, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.” Besides, as a Christian, Careen is held to a higher standard. John Henry Newman once wrote, “Let us seek the grace of a cheerful heart, an even temper, sweetness, gentleness, and brightness of mind, as walking in His light, and by His grace. Let us pray to Him to give us the spirit of ever-abundant, ever-springing love, which overpowers and sweeps away the vexations of life by its own richness and strength, and which, above all things, unites us to Him who is the fountain and the center of all mercy, loving-kindness, and joy.”
Well, my friend Careen sets an example, and I pray that the next time any of us are placed in such an awkward situation; one that couldbe pretty explosive, we’ll show a little compassion and a lot of love, because gracious words always promote instruction. And hey, if you need more inspiration you just have to go to my Blog today at joniandfriends.org. Again, that’s my Blog at joniandfriends.org.
© Joni and Friends
