With the assistance of some donated paint and some kind volunteers we painted the sacristy recently. Funny thing about painting a room: When it is desperate need of pain everybody notices. When it is newly painted nobody notices. It just is the way it is supposed to be. 
When you are driving down the highway it is very easy to notice rude, idiotic, and dangerous drivers. We are driving along not noticing (usually) how many good, courteous, and safe drivers around us when a MOTHER OF PEARL! driver cuts us off or rides the bumper of the car or some other such thing. There is a ready prayer that most people know for such moments. It is not nice but many of us learned it growing up. In the comics it looks something like this, “%$@** %#$@* ^#%%@?!!!!!!”
When you are driving down the highway it is very easy to notice rude, idiotic, and dangerous drivers. We are driving along not noticing (usually) how many good, courteous, and safe drivers around us when a MOTHER OF PEARL! driver cuts us off or rides the bumper of the car or some other such thing. There is a ready prayer that most people know for such moments. It is not nice but many of us learned it growing up. In the comics it looks something like this, “%$@** %#$@* ^#%%@?!!!!!!”
The unfortunate part is that the person never knows of your anger. They go along their merry way and you sit stewing and upset and miss some of the best lines from Lake Woebegone. That is unless you are the type of person who then speeds after the offender in hopes to of making them feel is rotten as you do. In that case the unfortunate part is that you have become exactly what you hate.
In the way that (far too many – I include myself from time to time) mark offenders on the road, have you ever given though to searching out people of Christian driving habits? Granted, they are driving the way and Christian driver is SUPPOSED to be driving, but why not give them credit. As a priest I usually give a little blessing the person – not that they can see, but just a little prayer for them that extended kindness toward me.
I usually do this for the person who slows down, moves over, or in some minor way inconveniences themselves to accommodate me when I am entering the highway or need to change lanes or such like things. The same goes if they do it for someone else. Out of state license plates get the secret blessing (which is confusing when I drive out of state) as well as newly bought car tags (because they will need it!) People who blast past me driving well over the speed limit also get it since they are sacrificing themselves to the speed trap so I do not get caught.
Overall it helps me have a more positive attitude and allows the mind to focus on what is good around me instead of only really noting the dirty, stinking, cigarette butt tossing jerky boys – uhm – I mean those poor souls who are probably in need of even more prayer.
6 comments:
Oh Father--my husband is a good driver but he gets really angry when another driver does something that he perceives as annoying. Sometimes, I can understand the anger. But a lot of the time, my husband is just annoyed that the person is in "his way." It's very hard to be seated next to my husband when these things happen and he gets angry. I keep my mouth shut and offer up my distress. But I do thank you for addressing this issue.
I love the photo. Sebastian is pretty good with a camera. What a smart dog.
When I witness selfish drivers' stupidity in action, I like to wish for them either/or a flat tire, a ticket or both! :) And then, hoping they receive my good wishes, I forget them & go my way.
LJ
I think I'm a good driver because when I drive very slowly others overtake me and then they signal with their fingers that I am No.1.
VSEM - Way to always look at the bright side of life.
Anon. He's terrible with the camera. Always taking pictures and not enjoying life.
When my oldest boy reached the age to acquire his vocabulary from listening to his father, I realized I needed to break a few habits regarding my verbal reaction to less than considerate drivers.
I would just say "Sure, go ahead, my Christian brother." It started as an inside joke with my wife, as she knew what I really wanted to say. But over time I began to realize that I don't really know the state of mind of my fellow drivers, so perhaps I did need to cut them some slack.
I enjoy driving more these days.
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