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.