Where Are They Going?

Have you ever wondered where all the people on a crowded interstate are going?  Every day we pass people, or people pass us headed to many places.  They come from all different backgrounds and races.  They may be:

• Racing to the hospital for a loved one. 
• Heading to a long awaited job interview.  
• Going to close on a new house.
• Coming from the doctor who confirmed the biopsy is "cancer".
• On the way to cheer for their favorite team.
• Taking the kids to soccer, or band practice.
• Returning from a meeting with a divorce lawyer.
• Going home to abuse their spouse.
• Heading to a bar to drown their sorrows.
• Leaving the funeral of a loved one or friend.
• Meeting a friend for lunch.
• Enroute to pick up their newly adopted child.
• Leaving the pediatric neurologist with a sick child.
• Texting their spouse they were just fired and not even thinking about driving.
• On the phone with an estranged child.
• Going to small group.  
• Celebrating the birth of a child.
• Heading to a 12-step meeting.
• Driving a brand new car they saved for a long time.
• Driving a very old car they worked hard to pay off.
• Driving a stolen car.
• Carrying drugs in the trunk (Stats say this happens a lot on I-85)
• Hauling an 8-pt. buck to the processor.
• Riding on new tires, or riding on old tires.

You get the idea.  Every day, every moment the interstate and roads we travel are filled with all kinds of people simply doing life.  Some of it's good and some of it's very bad.  Some are carrying such a heavy load it's hard to believe they can move forward, much less focus on driving.

I've never been a very patient driver, but I have really tried to grow in this area.  I'm talking about patience, not road-rage, or anger.  I'm better, but I still have a lot of room to improve and I'm probably not as far along as my wife would like.  Recently she reminded me that when I get impatient with other drivers I should put myself in their seat.  They could have a lot on their mind, or they could just be having a bad day.  Making an intentional effort to think this way will change the way you drive and interact with people, even difficult ones.

It forces us to empathize, or have compassion toward everyone we encounter.  Compassion is never a bad thing!  I am trying to take this to another level.  In addition to "cutting people slack," I am trying to pray for them when I do.  Not long, laborious prayers, but quick, breath prayers:  Father, help them today.  Or, Lord, whatever that person is facing it must be tough so grant your grace upon them at this moment.

The old saying: Be kind everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle is attributed to Rev. John Watson (aka Ian MacLaren).  Regardless of the quotes origin it's sound advice.  The Apostle Paul put it this way in Colossians 3:12:  Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience,. Easy there in the left lane!