Penny For Your Thoughts
By: Nancy Whitaker
Of all the occupations I would not want to be, the one I am definitely not cut out for, would be anything connected with driving a motor vehicle. Since embracing the “single” life, I have to depend on myself to drive and maneuver to get to where I want to go. This has proved to be a challenge, as I am not good at following directions, following a road map or listening to the monotone voice of G.P.S.
I have learned a few lessons during the past few years which have now attributed to my driving skills. These rules are: Rule number one: Do not try to follow anyone to get to your destination or they may lose you in traffic.
During a shopping adventure to an area city, I met my friend at a local fast food eatery. The day was going fairly good until we went to leave a big department store complex. It was here that my friend made a turn and I being at least two cars behind her lost sight of her vehicle.
For some unknown reason, some guy pulled up beside me and motioned for me to go. Well, go I did! Unsure of exactly which way to go, I inadvertently made a wrong turn onto a highway which was headed the other direction. Yes, I was going the wrong way on a four lane highway. I believe every car honked at me, some said a few choice words and one even gave me an obscene gesture.
Oh my. Since I always say that Jesus is my co-pilot, I began praying to him to get me out of this traffic situation. Jesus heard me and finally every car from both directions stopped. Someone yelled at me to get moving across the divide and to please get in the right lane. Even though I think I may have scared Jesus, I thanked him for helping me.
Rule number 2 for driving: Always look at street signs. A few weeks ago after finishing up a music gig, I thought to myself, “Instead of going down another block to make my turn, I will just go up this street because it is closer. Little did I know that another band member was watching me and said, “I could not believe my eyes when I saw you headed down that street. Didn’t you know that is a one-way street. Didn’t you see the signs? Gal, you were lucky you did not get hit.””
“No,” I answered, “What signs?”
What I did not realize was that at the end of that street, there was a bridge with cars coming across it from 4 different lanes. Even though, everything turned out for the good, I will sure watch road signs. Please no more one-way streets.
Rule number 3: Don’t listen to back seat drivers. A musician friend of mine rode to a music gig with me and by the time we got there, he was shaking in his boots. He was afraid we were going to be late and he kept telling me where to turn. After missing the turn 2 times he got a little frustrated. Then he told me to make a U turn and then we were headed in the right direction, I missed the turn again and wound up on a dirt lane. Oh no! With no room to make another U turn, my passenger said, “Just go across that curb and grass. So with a determination in my heart and a prayer in my head I jumped two curbs and wound up safe and sound.
My music buddy was so scared he kissed the ground when he got on land.
As far as I am concerned, I think my driving is good. It is the other people who may be in the wrong. However, I just don’t want to tell anyone where these situations arose, because the police would probably be sitting outside the city limits.
I am very thankful that Jesus is always with me and always has control of the wheel.
I admit that I have made some driving mistakes. Have you? Have you ever went down a 4 lane highway the wrong way or jumped over 2 curbs? Let me know and I’ll give you a Penny for Your Thoughts.
