I was in for a busy night, but I had a plan. I could get all three girls where they needed to be – and on time – but I needed to hurry. Unfortunately something ruined my plan: a little gray car.
“I can’t believe this. They’re driving 40 miles an hour.” I shook my head and whacked the palm of my hand against the wheel.
Emily looked up from her phone. “What’s the speed limit?”
“Fifty-five, and I can’t pass because we’re approaching a hill.” I gauged the oncoming traffic and tightened my grip on the wheel. “Come on gray car, can’t you pick up the pace?”
We came to a stop sign and I flicked my turn signal. Then I stared at the back of the gray car. “Please-don’t-turn-right, please-don’t-turn-right.” Their turn signal blinked. I threw my hands in the air.
As they made a leisurely right turn I glanced at my dashboard clock. We’re going to be late. My shoulders tightened. "As soon as we get around this curve, I am passing that car." Then I spotted something that grabbed my attention: a black and white car with lights on top.
"Oh."
Emily raised an eyebrow and gave me a look she probably learned from me.
“Okay, okay.” I exhaled. “Thank you gray car. I think you just saved me a ticket.”
As we continued on our way, I couldn't help but wonder if God had a message for me in this. Because honestly, I've been feeling a little frustrated and impatient in another area of my life: my writing.
For a while it seemed like my writing was really going places. I’d won a contest. I was getting lots of stories published. But lately, things have been moving more slowly. I've struggled with writer’s block. I've had rejections. My wheels are spinning, but I'm going nowhere. And it seems like God is saying, “Slow down; not so fast.”
But He knows what’s around the corner for me and I can trust in His plan. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. I am impatient. I want things my way, in my timing. Can you relate? But I’ll take that little gray car as a reminder. Sometimes I just need to sit back, relax and remember who’s actually in the driver’s seat.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
“I can’t believe this. They’re driving 40 miles an hour.” I shook my head and whacked the palm of my hand against the wheel.
Emily looked up from her phone. “What’s the speed limit?”
“Fifty-five, and I can’t pass because we’re approaching a hill.” I gauged the oncoming traffic and tightened my grip on the wheel. “Come on gray car, can’t you pick up the pace?”
We came to a stop sign and I flicked my turn signal. Then I stared at the back of the gray car. “Please-don’t-turn-right, please-don’t-turn-right.” Their turn signal blinked. I threw my hands in the air.
As they made a leisurely right turn I glanced at my dashboard clock. We’re going to be late. My shoulders tightened. "As soon as we get around this curve, I am passing that car." Then I spotted something that grabbed my attention: a black and white car with lights on top.
"Oh."
Emily raised an eyebrow and gave me a look she probably learned from me.
“Okay, okay.” I exhaled. “Thank you gray car. I think you just saved me a ticket.”
As we continued on our way, I couldn't help but wonder if God had a message for me in this. Because honestly, I've been feeling a little frustrated and impatient in another area of my life: my writing.
For a while it seemed like my writing was really going places. I’d won a contest. I was getting lots of stories published. But lately, things have been moving more slowly. I've struggled with writer’s block. I've had rejections. My wheels are spinning, but I'm going nowhere. And it seems like God is saying, “Slow down; not so fast.”
But He knows what’s around the corner for me and I can trust in His plan. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. I am impatient. I want things my way, in my timing. Can you relate? But I’ll take that little gray car as a reminder. Sometimes I just need to sit back, relax and remember who’s actually in the driver’s seat.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
