A traffic stop transformed into an inspiring and heartfelt encounter. It started rather heated and contentious, but quickly took a turn that likely no one saw coming. Watch the short but powerful clip to see the beautiful and moving moment that transpired between the law enforcement officer and the woman.
One of the worst sights in the world is when you’re driving down the road and you look in your rearview mirror and see red and blue flashing lights. We’ve all been there at one time or another. You immediately get this sinking feeling in your stomach, and adrenaline starts coursing through your veins. No one ever wants to be pulled over for any reason.
But it’s always a good idea to remain calm and respectful whenever you are pulled over. That will always make it a much more pleasant experience for everyone involved—the driver and the police officer. Just answer the officer as honestly as possible. Who knows, you might even get away with just a warning.
However, you never want to respond to the officer with anger and hostility. That’s a quick and easy way to earn yourself an expensive ticket. But as a clip posted on YouTube shows, what started as a contentious situation ended in a hug and a life-changing moment.
In the video, the officer, Shawn Singleton, explains the situation to the driver after approaching the vehicle. He tells her he pulled her over for going 61 in a 45. The woman is understandably not pleased with the situation, but instead of simply answering yes or no, she responds angrily to the officer.
Instead of escalating the situation, the officer can sense that something else is going on and knows there must be a reason for her angry attitude and demeanor. The woman eventually confesses that she has been struggling with sobriety, trying to keep things together and has been separated from her young son.
The officer offers her a hug, which she immediately accepts. It’s a precious, loving moment that “helped save her life.”
We never know what someone else is going through, so responding with kindness and understanding is always important. We don’t know how big a difference our kindness could make in their life.
Ephesians 4:32 “And be kind to one another, full of pity, having forgiveness for one another, even as God in Christ had forgiveness for you.”