Trying to drive with God’s patient grace
“God rules in the realms to which he is admitted.”
-- Mary Welch
Like many of you, I’ve been busy this summer, perhaps too busy.
I’ve also been driving a lot. My driving schedule is nothing,
however, compared with parents who faithfully ferry their children to
camps and classes all over the county. The logistics of what many of
them accomplish is baffling, and it seems like they need a computer
program to keep everything straight.
Nevertheless, I’ve driven my share of miles. One day, it was
almost like my car rolled its eyes at me when I approached it with a
long list of errands.
I also try to keep up with friends and family. I enjoyed watching
my niece Laura in the Junior Lifeguard program on Balboa Peninsula,
and earlier this week I went to Mission Bay in San Diego to watch my
nephew John compete in the Junior Championship Sailing Regatta.
Usually when I start my car, I start with a quick prayer that God
will help me be a good driver. When I first learned to drive, I was
instructed to be alert, attentive, cautious and courteous, as well as
a defensive driver.
I remember an instructor emphasizing the necessity of keeping the
appropriate safety distance between cars and checking mirrors to
watch other drivers’ behavior. That’s a lot to do while paying
attention to everything.
I was amazed on my return trip from San Diego at the activities
some people did while also navigating the road. I saw drivers eat,
drink, talk on the phone, put on makeup and read.
Maybe drivers aren’t taught the same things anymore, or perhaps
our rapid pace of life has led to a rabid case of crazy driving. The
freeway felt more like a raceway, and it seemed like many drivers
treated what they were doing like a game they needed to win.
I listened to worship music to help me stay calm as I watched both
sane and crazy driving. At the long line at the checkpoint near
Oceanside, I decided to stay in one line to see what would happen. I
watched a car the same color as mine dart in and out of lanes, but we
ended up passing through the checkpoint at almost the same time.
The next day, I was at the head of a long line of drivers trying
to merge onto a major boulevard. Everyone seemed harried and wouldn’t
acknowledge me. A nice driver finally signaled me in, and I waved in
thanks. As I drove, I saw a car ahead trying to change lanes, but
nobody would let him. When I was near, I left enough room for him to
merge, and I signaled to him just as I saw a hand out the passenger
window.
It turned out to be friends of mine. While talking with them
later, they related a story about almost being run over while trying
to walk across the street at a crosswalk. The driver glared at them
when she had to stop, which was interesting because my friends could
see she was reading a book.
I’m going to try to start my days and my car with prayer and ask
God to give me his peace and control my pace.
And you can quote me on that.
* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks
frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at
cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,
Newport Beach, CA 92658.
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