Letting Go...Almost

having faith when you aren't behind the steering wheel

I have put hundreds of thousands of miles on my vehicles over the years. Many of those miles have been on road trips. Most have been accumulated driving our three kids to school, church, parties, varied activities, and sporting events.

Driving in and of itself is an act of faith. We put faith in the mechanics of our vehicles every day. We simply trust that all the parts will keep working to make the wheels go round and round (admit it, you just sang those words). Some of us have shown faith in the panicked prayers as the fuel gauge reads empty and we have a few more miles to the closest gas station. I held my breath once as I was taking the exit and my dash read zero miles to empty. We also live with faith in others’ abilities to drive safely and make smart decisions. Some days all of this faith is easier than others.

But I am currently living in what I consider to be one of the deepest acts of faith regarding driving: the very act of letting go of the steering wheel, physically moving to the passenger seat, and giving control to my teenage daughter, our most recent permitted driver. Talk about an act of faith.

Relying on faith from the passenger seat.

I thought it would be easier on this, the third child. But I was quite wrong. I have calmly, in my oh-so-humble opinion, reminded her to enter curves slowly and then increase speed as she navigates a place with limited sight. I have held my breath (sometimes I am surprised I haven’t passed out from all my breath-holding while driving, but I digress) as SHE determines the best moment to press the brakes as I see a blazing red row of stopped cars ahead. It is just so very hard to second-guess what she sees and know how she will react. (Okay - I see how God might feel about me daily with this one.)

I try to offer advice and encourage her to be a patient driver (do as I say, not as you have watched me do all these years, child). There is a balancing act happening as I offer suggestions and tell of the thousands of possible scenarios while realizing she needs to focus and learn to navigate her path without my input. Ultimately she will have to have faith in herself. Because I know the day will come…much too soon… seriously, less than two months now…when I will not be in the seat beside her. And that right there is its own kind of faith for me as a parent.

I have always loved the verse in the wisdom of the Proverbs.

“Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old they won’t depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 (CEB)

Other translations say “start children off,” “teach your children,” or “direct children onto the right path.” This passage has guided me in parenting and ministry with children for 30 years. It is a reminder that what we do and teach, starting with the basics, makes a lifetime impact. Look both ways before crossing the road. Don’t touch the stove. Jesus loves me this I know. The things we fail to teach can create harm. Rules of the road and training our children to be safe and conscientious drivers so everyone arrives home safely are part of this training, directing, and teaching.

As for myself, I pray I am living faithfully on God’s path which was shown to me, especially in my childhood years, by many trainers - teachers, mentors, and parents. But I wonder, too, if there are times God wants to grab the wheel to help me avoid an oncoming collision (cue “Jesus take the wheel”). If only I would give God control of all my life like I long to have for that of my children at times.

In the meantime, while I continue to increase my faith, I will train my daughter as best I can and then watch her soar, having a WHOLE lot of faith that GOD is taking her wheel. And if you are a praying person, her driver’s license test is in March. Pray for her, pray for us.

Thanks for traveling with me, friends.

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More for the journey…

Think of something you learned about faith from a special “trainer,” teacher, mentor, or parent. Why has it been important for you? How has it helped you on your path? Write a note to the person who taught you this valuable lesson of faith. Send it if possible. Determine to pass on this lesson in the next week as a way to honor those who helped you find God’s path and continue the good work.