Quinn THINKS she can drive!
Posted: Thursday, June 14, 2012 by Anthony in
The other day I accompanied Quinn and her mother to Target to pick up a few things. As we prepared to check out I decided to take Quinn to the car and let her mom checkout because the line was LONG and I didn't want Quinn to get fussy. Since I knew we'd be waiting a while I put her in the front seat with me, rather than her car-seat in the back. For a few minutes, she was content playing with the radio and all of the buttons in its vicinity. However, soon she wanted to climb in my lap and "drive"...
As she sat on my lap and pretended to drive I began to laugh at how ridiculous she looked while she violently shifted the steering wheel from side to side and pushed random buttons. She was so focused, it was almost like she thought she knew what she was doing. I thought to myself just how dangerous it would be for an 18 month old to be allowed to drive.
Of course, the mere thought of someone who can't reach the pedals or see over the steering wheel being allowed on the road is foolish, to say the least. She's still learning her letters, numbers, shapes, and colors. There are so many variables involved in driving that her young brain hasn't developed enough to comprehend. She's a very smart little girl but I wouldn't even let her steer, let alone operate the entire vehicle.
Well, when I woke up to pray yesterday morning, the mental picture of Quinn steering was stuck in my head. With greater clarity and sincerity than ever I began to ask God to steer my life for me. I realized that, as smart as I am, there are still too many variables in life for me to effectively steer myself in the right direction. I'm too short to press the gas, hold onto the wheel, check my mirrors, and steer at the same time. How can I parent well, operate a business, manage my friendships, deal with past hurts, pay my bills, check my emotions, handle my haters, maintain a positive attitude, stay healthy, explore my gifts, chase my dreams, etc all at the same time... and keep my vehicle on the road.
I can't tell you how many times I've ended up in a ditch because of how recklessly I was steering my life. I laughed at Quinn without realizing how similar her steering technique was to my own. It's only by God's grace that I'm not dead due to some of the choices I've made and the places I've steered my life.
I'm so much more committed to giving up control now and allowing God to chauffeur me into my destiny. I feel much safer with Him behind the wheel. I can't promise I won't be a "backseat" driver and never question His ways. Nevertheless, I have no intention of grabbing the wheel from His hand and going my own way.
Today, I ANTicipate the presence of God to increase in my life as I have made more room for Him by sliding over into the passenger seat. He can drive me anywhere!
Never read your blogs before.......good stuff though good stuff