Learning to drive is not an easy thing. Of course, those of us who have been driving for years may find it hard to remember that. We’ve been driving for so long that the skills necessary to control a car are second nature to us. Still it can’t be easy to acquire them when you’re 16 or 17.
I remember I got my driver’s license the day I turned sixteen. I was so ready to drive and didn’t want to wait another day. On the other hand, none of my children got their licenses quickly. Two of them were over eighteen when they finally passed the test. One of them…I won’t say which child…had to take the test three times before passing. My kids just didn’t seem all that excited to drive or maybe part of the problem was fear of being behind that wheel.
I remember a few years ago one of my children had received her learner’s permit and took her sister and myself for a test drive. We were encouraging her to drive more so she could become prepared to take her driver’s test. She was hesitant behind the wheel but her big sister was in the front seat to help calm her nerves. I had been banished to the backseat and had been told by big sis to keep my mouth shut.
We proceeded to a busy intersection with a light. My daughter went into the turn going a bit too fast so big sis cautioned her to slow down as she turned. But as so often happens to inexperienced drivers she mistakenly pressed on the accelerator instead of the brake. Now we were going even faster and she started to lose control of the car. A huge jump in car insurance premiums flashed through my mind as I pictured the accident we were about to have. As the car careened toward oncoming traffic we all screamed and then as quickly as the impending disaster flashed before us it was over. My daughter had managed to turn the wheel enough to avoid hitting any cars and instead we just hit the curb and came to a stop. For a moment, there was just silence as we all imagined what could have happened. My daughter didn’t drive again for months.
Sometimes, in our spiritual life, we speed up when we should slow down. As I mentioned in a recent sermon…we GO when we should STOP and pray. We need to slow down or even be completely still and focus on what God wants us to do. When we become fatigued or disoriented late in the race we sometimes speed up and chance losing control of the situation. Jesus gave us the example of stopping to pray and refresh our spirit. As you begin your day, try slowing down to pray before you press the gas and go.
Rev. Dave Poteet, Pastor of Congregational Care
