Overtaken

On my way home from dropping Hannah at school today I was happily following another car along the main road and had a number of things on my mind. I was interrupted from my thoughts as a 4WD sped past me on the other side of the road. Ooh, He's in a hurry I thought, until I looked down and we are doing 40km/h in an 80km/h zone. As I look in my rear vision mirror I notice a dozen cars also slowed down by this car in front.

I was still happy to plod along behind this driver...for about 20 seconds...and then I felt my frustration rise. As I watched the 4WD disappear into the distance and the car in front slow down even more as we came to an intersection I started to voice my concerns. Of course no-one could hear me, but it feels better when you say it out loud. I even gave a tiny little toot of the horn (I dont think they heard) cause really, 30ks in an 80k zone, that is just ridiculous!

When they finally turned off (and slowed down even more before they did that I might add) I revved past them hoping they would see the error of their ways and drive faster next time.

But what changed during that stretch of road? One minute I was happily plodding along at 40 and the next minute I am forward in my seat absolutely frustrated with another driver (who was totally in the wrong ;). And you know what it was? I realised someone else was getting ahead of me.

Ouch. Isnt that the same in the rest of my life? Quite happily content with what I have, where I am going, what I am doing, until I take notice of someone else getting ahead and then all of a sudden where I am isnt good enough.

And doesnt that affect our attitude when we do that! We snap at our kids, grumble at our spouse, assert our authority at work, inwardly churning away cause we dont have what someone else has got.

I am SO sorry God for doing that! Next time I am behind someone going 40 I will remember to be thankful for where I am and Ill use that time to pray instead of grumble.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5