While I was driving yesterday morning, I was contemplating what it really means to acknowledge God “in all your ways” (Proverbs 3:6). I’ll confess that the absolutely worst me comes out when I’m driving. I don’t exactly have road rage, but suffice it to say I do and say things behind the wheel that I wouldn’t do or say if I were face to face with a person. So, I thought that perhaps one way of acknowledging God may not be with words at all, but with behaving according to Christian principals – love, peace, patience, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), for example, even when I’m driving.

Within 6 hours, I had failed pretty miserably. I was at a light that had apparently turned green, but I couldn’t see it because there was a huge truck blocking my view of it. The woman behind me obviously saw the green light and laid on her horn, and flailed her arms in obvious extreme aggravation that I had not gone when the light turned green. I hate being honked at; I really hate being flailed at. So I flailed my arms too, hoping she’d see how ridiculous she looked. I’m laughing as I realize how ridiculous I looked.

So let’s grade me…Love – not really; joy – definitely not; peace – no; patience – nope; self-control – FAIL. There were other loving acts that saved me (kind of like when a bunch of 100’s on daily work in the classroom bring up your average in the class) – I got some water ready to give to a guy who is usually at a certain intersection (he wasn’t there, but I was ready); I made a birthday cake for my husband (frosting from scratch – yum!); I was pretty cheery with everyone who helped us as we ran various errands. (Not trying to toot my own horn – just demonstrating it wasn’t all bad.) I think a C+ might be generous.

I’m so grateful we have a Savior who wants us to get an A, but loves us no matter what. I love that every morning, every moment, I get a new chance to live as I have been called to live – Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23).

Well, I’ve got to go drive somewhere. Lord, help me be humble; help me reflect your ways. Help me neither honk nor flail. I want to live as you lived, and love as you love – especially behind the wheel.