Early this morning I got up considering what to write about in my Blog today. I had so many ideas, passions, and lessons learned that I planned on sharing.
I headed to work. With windows down on this warm June morning I was looking at the mountains, grateful for the beauty I get to experience here in Bend. My heart was full as I thought about my family whispering prayers to the Lord for their week. May they be so blessed!
THEN~~As I headed down the street to enter a roundabout that would take me to work there were cars were backed up a bit due to others either heading to work or taking their children to school. All of a sudden my peaceful experience was shattered as a man in a jeep behind me began leaning on his horn angry that he had to wait. Every time he felt a car hadn’t entered the roundabout fast enough he screamed a string of obscenities that would embarrass even a sailor!
As I looked in my rear-view mirror I could see his white knuckles angrily grasping his steering wheel; he wasn’t interested on his impact on others whatsoever! This morning was about him, and he wasn’t getting his way!
In the wake of his rage filled outbursts , I needed to re-group emotionally; pulling myself back together after 5 minutes of shocking adult behavior. Would I choose to give this man the freedom to ruin my day? Would I allow him to steal my joy? I had a choice to make. I chose joy……
This experience reminded me that all too often we begin a day, purposeful and focused, ready to make a difference in our world and THEN~ we get bad news, we hear a criticism about us or our family, someone sends a hurtful email, or the World news is discouraging……do we allow these things to suck the peace out of our day? Steal our joy? Sadly enough, we often do.
What would it look like if we “chose” Joy? If we made an intentional effort to focus on the goodness of God, the kindness we share with friends and family, and the knowledge that God has our life in His hands? What would it look life if we refused to let anyone or anything control our emotional negatively?
In our lives challenges with come at us sideways at times; let’s stay in the drivers seat of our heart! Lead on with Joy!
“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 1 John 4:4
Dianna Salciccioli 
Unfortunately, he was probabaly going to be late for an appointment or work, and took it out on all the other commuters. How many times commuting to SF I had someone act the same way. The truth of the matter, where did they think we could make a change? We were all in the same boat. Wake up people and smell the coffee!
Gladys! I agree! What a sad waste of energy and a beautiful day…..
I’m a little glad he wasn’t a co-worker of mine~ Wow!
I’ve been in that situation more than once. I was either the driver like this guy you described or in your position. Upon reflection I am embarrassed to think I could have ever acted that way but praise God for the Holy Spirit and a change in my life. Now, like you I try to look at life everyday as a gift from God and act accordingly. For the other guy, all we can do is pray for them.
Don’t you just love how powerful the changing work of the Holy Spirit is? 🙂 And yes, I did pray for him~~to be so angry at 8am…lots must be going on!
Just read this today! WOW! I needed this! I so many times say to women…’don’t let them rob you of your joy’! But yesterday…and today…I needed that reminder for myself!
I just love you!
XO,
K
Love you right back Kitty!!!