Today I wanted to make a long outreach call, but having a very high energy toddler on my hands I knew that was unlikely to happen. So in a moment of mad inspiration, I did what any mother would do. I taught him how to drive.
In reality, he was sitting on my lap while I allowed the car to roll forward at a staggering 4 miles per hour. He steered and I gently reached in to correct the wheel when he looked likely to hit a curb as we rolled our way around our cul-de-sac. A few neighbors paused to call some greetings to us, and the bright smile on my son's face was infectious.
Every once in a while he didn't want to let me correct his steering and swatted my hands away. When that happened, I applied the breaks and told him he wasn't going anywhere until he let me help. He pouted but eventually realized that he needed my cooperation if he wanted to keep driving.
I realized with surprise just how much this is like my own interactions with my Higher Power. When I allow Him to gently guide me, He lets me steer and keeps things moving forward. But when I refuse help, He puts on the brakes and lets me sit in frustrated misery until I'm willing to surrender.
