"He Loves The Truck More Than Me"

Hurt and heartache are realities often seen in today’s world. I recently saw these emotions in a vivid way. I was returning home from Oil City. Just before I reached the bridge on Highway 2 that crosses the Red River, I saw a car on the side of the highway. As I passed by the scene I saw some people on the side of the highway, two vehicles down the embankment, and debris scattered on the highway. It was clear there had been a wreck. I turned around and went back to the scene. After making sure that the appropriate calls had been made, I talked some more to the people.

At least one person had been injured to the extent that medical attention was needed. One couple, probably in their twenties, lamented that their truck had been totaled. In an attempt to comfort and help them put things in their proper perspective, I told them that the more important thing was that neither of them had suffered serious injuries. This was when the young woman said these sad words, “He loves me the truck more than me.” This was not a desperate attempt of making a joke. She was serious. Still I find myself wondering what would ever move her to make this kind of a statement.

The smell of alcohol was strong. After she made her statement, I was curious if the young man would speak some comforting and reassuring words to her, perhaps even put his arm around her. But he did not have much to do with her. As we stood on the shoulder of the highway she began to experience some pain in her stomach. Even then he did not express any concern. Did he care?

I have no way of knowing this entire story. I have many unanswered questions. Therefore I felt at a loss of what I should say to her. But I knew this young woman was hurting. I did my best to assure her that things could get better, and that I would be praying for her. I hope her story has a happy story, but I will probably never know.

Sometimes we get frustrated in our daily lives when the service at a restaurant is not what we desire or if the line at Wal-Mart is too long. But there is more going on in the world around us than these minor inconveniences. There are real people hurting. Unhappiness and frustration are daily realities for some people. This situation becomes sadder when children, due to their home environment, come to believe that this is the only way that daily life can be lived. Using the opportunities that are presented to us day by day, we need to be alert to opportunities of helping others in their times of hurt. It may be an encouraging and kind word that is spoken, a good deed that is done, or even just listening. Ordinary people can make a difference in the lives of others. And the result is that all of us will benefit.