So Sunday was a groundbreaking day for Devin, my girlfriend. She mastered up great courage. With my encouragement, she opened the door on her side of the car, got out and walked around to my side while I did the same. I received a pearcing glare* as we passed halfway (*might contain slight exaggeration – but this is how it played off in my head), and then lowered herself into the right side of the car and pulled the door shut.
She turned towards me, and big letters on her face clearly read, “OMG, why am I doing this?!”
“What is so bad about sitting in the passenger seat?” You may ask if you are from the USA. You see people, we are in Australia and according to Devin (who is from the States), she was sitting on the wrong side of the car, about to drive on the wrong side of the road, while opperating the wrong type of gearbox. That is correct, Devin had to put the left side limbs to use and opperate a clutch and stick shift.
At this point the only thing that some of you are thinking is, how did she fit into that shoe? Oh wait, it has wheels…is that a car? Yes, this is indeed a car, more specifically, my mum’s car. Devin has lovingly named it The Thing. And when I say lovingly I mean in a sentence, “We’re not driving with that…thing, are we?!” Haha, the name kinda stuck now.
Despite this minor first impressions glitch, I think they worked very well together – even being impressed with one another…maybe? Devin pulled away smoothly on her first attempt and stalling was a rare occurance (only happening on some uphill sections), and after a brief moment of confussion she faithfully stayed on the correct side of the road. The Thing was running happily, Devin was smiling, and I was proud of her.
The confidence grew and grew…
Calmness replaced axiousness…
And then came yesterday…
Screech, jerk, thump, rev, smoke and clutch smell !!!
And none of this was The Thing’s fault. You see, Devin didn’t do this to my mum’s car. She did it to mine -_-
In her defense, I kinda knew my car was going to be a bit harder to drive since its clutch and throttle is more sensitive. Devin started off with the confidence she built up from the day before, but after a few times of stalling it soon melted away, at which point she declared that The Thing was preffered over my car. Heresy I tell ya!! She slowly got used to it and after a little while things started to gel smoothly.
That was until I made her go up a hill only appropriate for 2nd gear and generous momentum. Lacking the latter caused the car to start bogging down…and a little bit of ‘freaking-out-ness’ resulted in a lot of revs and burning clutch. After a short calming down time, many “Uffdas!!” and waiting for the gentle breeze to remove the stench, we were gonna try pull away on this steepest part of the hill. With a lot of concentration and teamwork we pulled away. Victory!
I had Devin do another circuit of the drive we just did, including the dreaded hill, and on the second time round she made it up the hill beautifully. I am so proud of her, not only for getting it right, but for trying!
Afterwards I got back behind the wheel. Devin marvled at me (called me a show-off) for making it look so easy all while talking, opperating the radio, and using the indicators at the same time. I then went to the daunting hill and stopped on the steepest bit. Using the handbrake and gentle throttle and clutch control we pulled up the hill smoothly.
Psh, bragging much! You are thinking right?
However, I didn’t do that to try make myself look good and Devin bad. I wasn’t trying to show her the skills she was lacking at the moment – I was trying to show her what she would be capable of if she just continues to practice and press on.
You see my friends, you might feel like you are in a situation now that you can’t handle. Things are just too much for you and you might not feel like you have the adequate skills, experience, or past to get through it. But I tell you no matter where you are at in your life now, no matter what hill you are stalled on…you have a skilled driver willing and able to help you, if only you allow Him to. His name is Jesus.
He came to earth and did the ‘drive’, and He did it perfectly.The Bible says that Jesus was tested in all ways as we are yet without sin. Then by dying for us – for our mistakes , sin, and shame – He gave us the right to go on this drive. He also rose from the dead so He could sit right next to us to make sure we get the most out of this life which He paid so dearly for. The Bible also says that Jesus our intercessor can be touched by the weakness of our infirmities- He feels your pain and understands your weaknesses.
Even if things look very difficult now, if you put all your trust in Him with diligence and consistency – by His amazing grace – you will also be able to drive smoothly without bogging down. The hills and challenges will still be there, but His love and grace gives you the skill and strength to be victorious!
So take courage my friends, we’ll make it 🙂
If you haven’t yet invited Jesus into your life and want to, pray this prayer:
Lord God, thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son, Jesus Christ to this earth to die for my sins and mistakes, and took my punishment on Himself. Thank you that because of Him I can now live a life of freedom and joy, and my sins are forgiven. I don’t need to try be good enough to be accepted or loved, all I need to do is accept You as my Saviour. By Your grace, Jesus, I am qualified and I am a child of God, and I trust You with my life.
My dear friend, if you prayed this prayer and meant it with all your heart, you are forgiven and free. I encourage you to get involved in a lively and vibrant church, get a bible and read it – it will guild you in all your ways…and pray – we have a loving Father who hears us, and is very willing to answer.