Friday was the
day my daughter passed her G2 driving test which means she can now drive
alone--- and I can stop driving her most days!!! J J J Anyway, her driving test went fairly well
despite the fact she had the hardest tester, who also tested longer than most
of the other testers, and they almost got in a car accident. Amy was to execute a left hand turn after
stopping at a red light. She had an
advanced green arrow and so proceeded into her turn when a person ran the red
and almost hit them on the passenger side.
She hit the brakes in time, but the tester didn’t say anything about it
then. It was only when they got back to
the test facility that the tester told Amy she passed and thanked her for her quick
reflexes that kept them from being creamed.
Today we
practiced on the expressway because that will be her main route to work. Back and forth, on and off the ramps, merging
into and dealing with merging vehicles was the priority. At one point we went off into the mall and
she began to make a left with our right of way.
The other two roads have stop signs, but the guy facing us probably
didn’t notice that, stopped, but then drove through. Amy again stopped just in time. Both times she was in the right to proceed. Both times the results of her stopping saved
a lot of grief. If her reflexes hadn’t
been so good, there could have been injuries and damages.
I try to
teach my kids in life and especially driving that just because it’s your right
doesn’t mean others follow the law or don’t make mistakes, so take care and
allow for that eventuality. I’ve made
dangerous mistakes myself. It happens to
us all so we must be prepared to react appropriately. We can force our ‘rights’ and end up injured,
over react and make the situation worse, or calmly respond suitably for the
situation.
If your child yells and you yell back, will that escalate
the situation or calm it down?
A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words
stir up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of
fools pours out foolishness. Pr. 15:1,2
If someone says something hurtful to you, will being
hurtful back make it better or worse?
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and
sincere. Jm. 3:17
One of my
kids (not telling which J) used to get me going fairly quickly and things
would escalate. Eventually I realized
they felt better when I was out of control- like they’d won something, so I
resolved to react calmly no matter what.
They got worse before they got better, but eventually some healing took
place and reactions all around are much improved. The Bible speaks of better ways to respond:
So then let us pursue the things of peace, and the things
for building up one another. Rm. 14:9
Let your moderation (Strong’s- appropriateness) be known
to all men. The Lord is at hand. Php.
4:5
to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be
gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Tt. 3:2 ESV
If it is possible,
as far as is in you, being in peace with
all men. Rm. 12:18
Follow peace with all, and holiness, without which no one
shall see the Lord; Hb. 12:14
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to
those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who
despitefully use you. Lk. 6:27 ,28
Blessed are the
meek! For they shall inherit the earth… Blessed are
the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God. Mt. 5:5,9
Gee Lord, does this include inconsiderate drivers too?