It's been nearly a week since I did something to hurt someone. Thankfully, it was unintentional, but nonetheless, it hurt them.

Some of you may recall that at a recent Greenville Drive game, I spilled my soda onto/into the brand new purse of a high-school graduate. Yes, I tried to make amends, and feel there is really nothing more I can do, especially since I may never cross paths with that young woman again.

I may never know why the incident was as upsetting to her...well, I understand the disappointment, but the incident went a direction I was a little surprised at. Normally, when someone says they are sorry and/or tries to make amends, I expect an "don't worry about it" or "it was an accident." But it didn't happen that way. But maybe that is a good thing, because I ended up learning a few things.

I learned that there is likely often something more going on below someone's reaction to being hurt or disappointed...I know the purse was a gift that week for graduation and that it was worth a good bit of money (she indicated that)...but beyond that, it may have been given by someone special, it may represent years of hard work, it was pink and it may remind her of someone close with cancer, etc.

I learned that I am not responsible for the reactions of others...I should do my part to be kind, to make amends for mistakes, etc. but I cannot choose how they will respond.

I learned that I still struggle with wanting to be liked by everyone and being on good terms with everyone, even strangers. Would my internal struggle have been different if she had forgiven me? I was possibly more bothered by not being forgiven than by the accident itself, which is a little sad.

I learned that we both could benefit from a new perspective. Shortly after the incident, a line drive hit a young boy in the face, two rows behind us. A couple days later, I saw a photo of Liberians waiting for hours for fresh water to haul home. Both can put this incident in a new light...things are just things after all.

I learned that I can extend grace, because this girl could've reacted in a worse way and didn't. If the same thing had happened to me, only with a piece of technology I rely on, (I'm not into expensive purses) I may have felt just as bad. So I need to extend grace. It had been a big week for her and I was indeed careless.

I learned that I simply made a mistake. I need not beat myself up over it. I need to extend grace to myself as well.

I learned that the small incidents of life can teach big lessons.

So, young woman, if you ever happen to read this, I am again sorry for the incident and I wish you the opportunity, as you go into your young adult life, to learn from the small things, to appreciate life and its lessons, and most of all, to grow close to God through whatever is happening in your life.