I was making a right turn on a red light when my 6 yr old son corrected my driving … again.
“Mo-ooom, you’re not supposed to go when the light is red!”
Completely fed up, I pulled off the road. That. Was. IT! From “Aren’t you supposed to go the other way?” to “Don’t you think you should have stopped longer at the stop sign, Mom?” I had absolutely had it up to HERE! I sighed loudly and glared into the rear view mirror,
“For the last time, I know you think you know how to drive because you know red means stop and green means go, but there is more to it than that! You have an incomplete understanding of the laws. You also can’t see everything I can see up here, Puh-leeze child, stop trying to tell me how to drive!! ”
I was preparing to pull back on to the road when the Lord spoke very quietly to my spirit,
“Now you know I feel sometimes.”
I’ve heard the analogy about letting the Lord take the steering wheel more times than I can count. So much, in fact, that it pretty much lost all meaning, but I had never given any thought to the fact that I’m a horrible back-seat driver!
As I pulled back onto the road I thought about how true it was- I was always trying to tell God how things should go. What should happen, when, where and why. When He doesn’t answer my prayers in what I consider a timely fashion I have a tendency to get so frustrated that He isn’t listening to me! Doesn’t He realize I’m waiting?!!
The more I thought about it the more I began to feel so silly! My Father in heaven can see all the possibilities, as infinite as they are, it’s all there for Him to see. It’s like I’m looking out at the road from my son’s seat in the back of a car, peering around the front seats, trying to direct the car while only able to see the tops of the lights and stop signs. Meanwhile He is looking at the whole situation from up in a helicopter with all the roads and intersections stretching out in front of Him; able to see not only the path I’m on but all the other choices and routes coming up. Not to mention that He can see all the other cars and where they are coming from and where they are going and if we will intersect.
And seriously, when has He ever failed me? He has proved time and time again that He has my best interest at the forefront of His mind. So many times when I felt forgotten, I got a better answer than what I had planned out for myself, or I realized how lousy it would have been had I gotten what I asked for. Because my view is so limited. When He waits there’s a reason. When He redirects me there’s a reason. When He says “No.” there’s a reason! And it’s amazing how patient He is with me as I’m squealing directions to Him from my seat in the back. I would smack me!
So I hope you’ll join me as I daily seek to trust in my God, after all He managed to create the earth without my input, maybe if I take some time to “be still and know He is God” He’ll be able to show me once again how very very good He is.
Melissa,
I’m taking this one with me today, especially when I’m on the road!!;) Your blog reminded me of a scripture in Proverbs 16:1 that says “We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer.” Sometimes I think I know the “right” way to go and then I get totally lost and He gets me moving in the right direction. Everyday lessons for me!!
God has given you an amazing relatable gift to many!! Thanks for sharing your gift with me today!! Love You!!
~Maree
So true! So good! Total word from God for me! Thanks!
That was a GREAT analogy! I love it and will remember it as I try to stop back seat driving myself. I laughed out loud when you said “I would smack me”. Ha I would smack me too. Thank you for sharing the insight.
It’s “funny” how all we have to do is “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4. We are so worried about what we want vs. what God has in store for us, and we have to realize that what He has for us is so much better than what we could’ve ever imagined for ourselves. Let’s stop trying to talk Him into our silly life plans and listen to what He has to say.
Love … LOVE … LoVe your transparent heart! Thanks for always taking us to the raw truth and helping us find God there.
Loves ~ Ris
Oh girl, I can just see God, His hands on his knees looking down with joy and laughter. She gets it! How fun and memorable when we can see the big picture in the little day-to-day events. Always a blessing to hear His voice. What a delight you are to Him, as well as to us. Love you!
So true, so good! Thanks Melissa !
That was such a great analogy Mel! Short, sweet, and right to the point! My life is all sorts of crazy right now. I daily tell my friends I’m going back to Texas by this time, or when “this” is finished. The reality is though i have NO clue, because I’m in the backseat NOT in the front! Your blog has pretty much told me to “SHUT MY MOUTH” and “be still and know I’m God.”
Thanks, I love you.
Thank you Melissa. I needed that!
I have a 5-yr-old backseat driver…love it…
Melissa, that was a fun story! Thanks for such a practical analogy.
Oops, Melissa, that was me in the previous comment, not my daughter!
Melissa, your article convicted me….let Jesus take the wheel. When I allow Him to drive I arrive there safe, relaxed, and surpised where we have arrived. It is always better then were I thought I wanted to go.
Love how the Lord talks to you in everyday events. He is talking, the question is “are we listening?”
Obviously YOU are!
The helicopter? What a smart analogy. I love that idea!
Well said, Melissa. As a planner and a list maker, this is something I struggle with nearly every day. God is constantly teaching me through my children too. It’s amazing how much better the lessons sink in when the roles are switched and I’m on the other side of things trying to get through to the little versions of me!! I guess that’s one of the many ways that children are a blessing. Loved your helicopter analogy. Thanks for sharing!
Hey girl; I’ve been off the web for a while, but stopped by to visit DIB today; I love this post: short, sweet, and to the point! Exactly what I was needing to hear today…focus on the eternal; “Jesus take the wheeeeeel, take it from my hands…” Ok, enough Carrie.
Blessings Melissa! Great post.