Looking Beyond the Truck

On my way to work I often run the chance of getting behind some slow pokes on the road. This morning I was behind a large work truck that was barely doing the speed limit. I was impatient as I had a hot coffee to deliver to a co-worker. It was not long before my mind started asking, "Couldn't you just speed it up a bit?" Then to add fuel to my impatience his brake lights came on and off and on and off. No longer contained in my head, out of my mouth came my next thoughts. "Buddy, are you kidding me? What is your problem?" Just ahead the car in front of the truck made a right hand turn and the truck picked up to a normal and legel speed limit. God revealed my impatience but He also asked, "Who or what are you mad at?" My anger was misplaced and an innocent driver was victim to my wrath. The Lord began to show me my anger and how I can express that emotion to my husband and children. It's like my family is the truck. They are the big thing that's in my way. But there are unseen things that are at the root cause of my frustration and it is usually that I don't like to take a good look at myself. It is easier to yell at the truck than to see beyond to the car. My husband recently said it best. "Our frustration with the kids is because we see so much of ourselves in them." Very true, yet I hate to admit that my anger comes from me. How easy it is to point the finger and blame others for the way we feel. How often do you and I wrongly lash out and accuse the innocent party rather than facing the real and true cause? It is quicker to act out than react properly. It is easier to speak than to hold the tongue. It is more comforting to blame and deflect then to admit and search our own hearts. Often, we shoot first and ask questions later.

As this incident just took place an hour ago I have no words of wisdom to lend. No scriptures to offer at the moment. Just a challenge that you and I take the time to see beyond the truck.

Kathy Withers

Kathy’s on staff at America’s KESWICK in the Development Department. Kathy has been married to her husband Dave for 25 years. They have two adult children. Kathy is active in her local church and has previously served as a Teaching Director for Community Bible Study. Her passion is to encourage women to deepen their walk with Jesus Christ by finding and living out the truths of God’s Word.

DIGGING DEEPER
Matthew 7
11 If you then,who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!