I frequently walk through an intersection in Brooklyn where cars are occasionally stopped in the middle of the pedestrian walkway. It’s a minor inconvenience to walk around the bad drivers who misjudge the intersection, but it’s still difficult not to feel a twinge of annoyance.
But when I was returning a rental car a few months ago, I found myself traveling through this same area in a vehicle for the first time. The light was yellow and there were lots of pedestrians, so I decided to stop instead of trying to make the light.
I had to smile as a couple walked a few paces out of their way to accommodate the bad driver—yours truly—whose turn it was to inconvenience pedestrians.
The funny thing about extending grace is that it flows in both directions. You might not need it today, but life is long and filled with surprises.
