35 in a 55...

Ever had one of those weeks? I was on vacation last week, and it's always hard going back to work after that. Honestly, though, it hasn't been work that has made it "one of those weeks." I'm teaching my Bible Fellowship class on Sunday, and it seems every time I do that, the enemy fights me all week, telling me lies and trying to discourage me. It all sort of culiminated yesterday when the dog decided to knock over the kitchen trash can and spread a full bag of trash all over my living room floor. Good times.

Anyway, I've had a hard time going to sleep this week, which has made it hard to wake up, which has made it hard to get to work on time. And malfunctioning alarm clocks and puking dogs don't help. Then yesterday, I was taking 292 to I-26 (because it's quicker than going through the town of Inman and its 25 m.p.h. speed limit). I got behind a lady who was going 35 m.p.h. on the 55 m.p.h. stretch of 292. I guess I would have to say that most of my pet peeves have to do with other drivers anyway, and this just made me have the kind of attitude I'd prefer not to have to start the day, and the word "moron" was used more than once in a not-so-affectionate way. I hate it when that happens and I always feel so guilty. I finally got to that precious dotted yellow line so that I could pass her, and I'm pretty sure she could see the steam coming from my ears as I did. Then I thought about that silver fish sticking on the back of my car and really hoped that my look of disgust wasn't too obvious as I passed.

As I've thought about that lady and her snail-like pace, it made me think about life in general and how often we get so caught up in the day-to-day busy-ness of life, trying to keep up with the standard pace that the world has set for us. I'm sure that lady was in no hurry to get anywhere. She had a friend in the car with her and they were probably having a nice conversation as they drove along slowly but steadily, just enjoying each other's company and the nice day God had given us.

Sometimes we need to do that, too. In the clutter and chaos of 8:00 sales meetings, loads of laundry, attention-hungry pets, choir rehearsals, and (for some of you) cooking dinners and shuttling kids here and there, it's okay to say, "STOP! I don't care what the speed limit is. I want to slow down and enjoy the ride." Sometimes life has to set our pace for us. But at times, it's okay to be our own pacemaker, spend some time with the Lord, and enjoy the world He's given us to live in. Stop housecleaning to watch the kids play for a while. Take the dog for a walk. Read a book on the porch swing for a few minutes. Have a picnic with the family. Spend some time in prayer for someone you care about.

Maybe even drive 35 in a 55 once in a while...