From Charlie Gray

Since retirement, I have been doing some consulting work with the legal community regarding tractor trailer and construction equipment accidents. I like the schedule because I work when I want. The compensation is very good and the work allows me to be a part of what I consider a quest for justice. The first observations undertaken in an accident are simple. Where and What? Where were the involved vehicles positioned and what were they doing?

If the vehicle was turning, did the driver engage his turn signal? Was the vehicle speeding? Was the equipment being operated pursuant to manufacturer’s guidelines? And yes …. the top consideration nowadays, was the driver or operator using their cell phone when the accident happened? WHERE were the participants and WHAT were they doing?

Thinking about this took me back to an incident in my youth when I and some of my neighborhood buddies had worked our way into a bind. My mother, trying to prevent me from my father’s wrath, suggested that I was "just in the wrong place at the wrong time". As he was removing his belt, my dad reminded both me and my mom that "there is never a right time to be in the wrong place". A big dose of punishment mixed with a hint of wisdom. It’s an inescapable reality, we are always somewhere and always doing something.

Jesus found himself many times, according to standards of the day, in the wrong place. With that said, what was He doing? Yes, He admittedly associated with prostitutes and tax collectors. He had no issues mixing with the undesirables of His day. However, in the "go forth" directive of His ministry, He went among ALL people.

Jesus teaches us by His own example to always do the right thing even if we are in the wrong place. His encounter with the woman at the well is one of the most powerful stories in the Bible. Jesus found Himself with someone that most would have avoided. What did He do? He showed her compassion and in the end advised her to make some changes. Wouldn’t we all be better off by engaging with others duplicating that model.

It’s wise to stay out of the wrong places BUT if you find yourself there, do the right thing. As with my accident cases, you will be questioned on that later.