Learning lessons on life's road

     This week, hearts are heavy across our country and throughout the whole world. 

     The Humbolt, Sask. tragedy has brought a deep spirit of mourning for many. 
     

          Waves of grace and prayers are offered from many parts of the globe. 

     What a blessing it is that many of these families know the God, who is the Source of all comfort. 

     Early this morning, I arose with a full heart of thanksgiving and praise to my loving, Heavenly Father. 

     The experience of my yesterday, which was a culmination of a journey through weeks of dark clouds, gave me reason to say, “Today will be the beginning of my best days yet to come.” 

     Depending on our perspective, the situations we often face may seem trivial to some. Though there is always someone nearby with a greater problem, ours remains unique to us. 

     If the situation we find ourselves in brings us to a deeper trust, we know God has allowed it for our good. 

     

     This year, Road Safety BC made the decision to create a program called Enhanced Road Assessment Information for Drivers, administered by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). 

     It’s purpose, to evaluate a driver’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle on our streets. 

     Notices began arriving in mail boxes of seniors aged 80 and older. 

     First, is a cognitive test by your family doctor. Receiving mine just prior to Christmas, I booked a date very early in January. It was not the best plan, as I wasn't functioning at my best, having experienced the busyness of pre-Christmas, my body and mind was fighting just to be normal. 

     For some unexplained reason, I could not carry through with the test. 

     Failing to re-book the test, I was left with no other option but to then look forward to an upcoming road test, which successfully took place this week. 

     Usually feeling able to handle what life brings, I now began doubting my ability in many areas — memory recall, feeling old and incapable. It's amazing what the "evil one" will tell us in our weakest moments. 

     

     Remembering my status as a child of my Heavenly Father, I began taking positive steps. 

     ICBC’s Learning to Drive Smart study guide found its way into my hands and I booked a lesson with All-Weather Driving School, just to see what I might be missing. 

     Having received a letter explaining road test requirements: multi-step directions and reverse driving routes, etc., I thought to myself, this process is sure to seem alarming to some, even causing them to make the choice to simply retire from driving. 


          As per their suggestion, I chose to have several supervised on-road practice sessions with either of my son-in-laws, Mark and James, as well as daughter, Debi. 

     This added to my already confident driving. I even booked another road course with Young Drivers of Canada. 

     Having attended a Road Safety presentation, which ICBC provided, I sensed the message being somewhat softened, perhaps because some were choosing to forfeit their driver's licence in lieu of the stress of taking the road test. 

    They sought to encourage seniors to keep driving, seemingly down-playing the eventual road test. 

     In spite of my decision to be pro-active in preparation for the test, feelings of fear and inadequacy kept surfacing in my mind at all the wrong times. 

     My calm only returned as I spent long hours digesting and receiving strength from God’s Word. I feasted on verses that instilled strength in me such as,“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6). 

     Often becoming weak and finding it hard to trust, I asked His forgiveness many times. 

     Fast forward to this week. Soliciting prayers of my friends and family, God did just what He had promised me all along. His Presence was with me in a "BIG" way. 

     I couldn’t have been calmer during my road test with the friendly, young man, named Rich. 
     

     I should not have worried. I passed with only a few very slight demerits and with positive comments on my strong driving skills. 


     Do you think I am tired of travelling the streets? You betcha! 

     Tired, but grateful that I still have the freedom to do so. 

     

What's my point of relating all this? 

     

     Though my Heavenly Father has been my friend and guide for many years, I am still learning each day to have an ever-deepening trust and stronger faith, in His precious Word. 
     We will never be perfect in this life. In the meantime, my “Daddy,” my “Abba Father,” knows my frailties and keeps picking me up when I fall. 

     He says, "Do better now my child!”      

— beulah