Teenager Behind The Wheel

Well, I have finally entered a new phase in life, it is the area where My oldest son is now getting behins the wheel and starting to drive me around. (He is the reason for a picture of a Camaro.) I can well remember the day that my own father took me out and threw me behind the wheel of the car and then the "Public Service Announcements" began. In spite of all of the "legal disclaimers" and the "waiver" that I had to sign, both my dad and I made it through. I sat there the other day while my son, David James, was driving and I was remembering about those driving lessons that my father gave me, suddenly I realized that the nervous twitch that my father developed when I was 16 was in fact MY FAULT!

I was sitting there calmly giving instructions filled with Love, Wisdom and the occasional uttered prayer for protection, when I looked at David James. There sat a tall, skinny young man who was scared to death and NOT wanting to show it. I remember feeling that way when my dad was riding with me all those years ago.

I remember not wanting to mess up or make a single mistake, only I remember my dad saying to me more than once, "Don't worry about it, everybody makes mistakes at first." He was so right. We all make them at first, but the idea is that the more we practice the better we will become.

I find the same to be true in the Christian Life. We all make mistakes, the main point is to learn from them and grow. What a shame it is for people to make mistakes and NEVER learn or grow from them. Sadly, our churches throughout America and the World are full of people who seem to NEVER learn or grow from their mistakes. This should not be the case in your life. Let's ask God to help us to learn and grow from the mistakes we make.

I looked over at David James and I told him just what my dad told me. I will never forget the simple wisdom that I could always find, and still do, when I talk to my Father, I hope that one day my son will be able to say to me what I am NOW saying to my Father... "Thanks Dad!"