In California, pedestrians rule. The pedestrian always has the right of way in a crosswalk. The minute you put your foot in a crosswalk, you are protected by the law. All cars must stop.

I was driving near my home on Pacific Coast Highway when a lone pedestrian stepped into a crosswalk right when it required me to lean heavily on my brakes in order to stop in time. He was a tall, capable young man who was either totally aware of what he was doing, or simply not paying attention. He was definitely old enough to be a driver and had he been thinking like a driver, he wouldn't have stepped into the street at precisely that moment.

Especially when I was the only car around as far as the eye could see in either direction. And then he did something that tested my good sensibilities to the max. After making me slam on my brakes to stop, he sauntered. That's right. Sauntered. I sat there watching him slowly make his way across four lanes and never once acknowledging me, and something started to boil inside.

Put yourself in my place and ask yourself: what are your feelings about this guy right about now? If you're anything like me, they're not very kind.

Do you have anyone in your life that could be that guy in the street--someone who appears to be purposely making life difficult for you? What are you going to do about that? Run him over? (It did cross my mind.)

Jesus calls us to love our enemies and return good for the evil done to us. Who can do that? What degree of human will would make that possible? Actually, none. Jesus even said this kind of love was humanly impossible -- that it would take someone born of His Father in heaven to do this. Well... there you go.

We've all got difficult people to love. Go to God. He's the only one who can show you how to do this. After all, He is the expert, you know. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

The Catch, © John Fischer