Stupid Moves

Many of us will travel in the coming weeks, either for one last summer holiday, to take a university student back to school, or perhaps for an early fall getaway. As always, concern for making smart moves on the highways should be a priority for everyone.

In a dumb move, I quickly decided to pass a slower truck in front of me, and glanced at my mirrors as I was rounding that curve.

I remember the days when my father faithfully took time to audibly pray for guidance and protection on the highway before we launched any major trip as a family. And how I worried about accidents if Daddy forgot or skipped that step. It’s an interesting prayer exercise, because when we think of God literally watching out for all of those who might have requested it on the highways or in the air—well, it boggles the mind. It can also make us doubt God’s care when, despite prayers, cars crash and people die.

So what shall we do? Not pray? In general, my own husband and I never officially paused for prayer when traveling with our own children, but rather tried to pray as we traveled.

I was particularly mindful of asking for God’s presence on a brief trip I made by myself last month. I asked for the wisdom to not make dumb mistakes—no stupid moves. Accustomed to managing the GPS and, in general, playing navigator to my husband’s preferred chief driver role (until I need to spell him for a brief rest), I was particularly aware of how I needed to both navigate and drive. In the back of my mind as I traveled was the deep desire I have to continue being there for my husband and children, and now my grandchildren!

One irony of the “prayer before a big trip” practice is the fact that so many accidents happen closer to home when our guard is down and our thoughts are more focused on daily schedules and issues. On my two-day July trip, I was grateful for a smooth drive until I was about 40 minutes from home. I was rounding a significant curve on notoriously bad Interstate 81 very near to the factory where my husband works. It seems to be a curve where semi-trucks and other vehicles frequently crash (he can hear the repercussions!), blocking traffic for hours. So you’d think I’d be extra cautious right there; I had been faithfully glancing in my side and rearview mirrors throughout my trip.

Then, in a dumb move, I quickly decided to pass a slower truck in front of me, and glanced at my mirrors as I was rounding that curve. But just as I started to move left into the passing lane, I heard a loud honk honk honk. Horrors! Had I pulled out in front of someone? I looked to the left side mirror and at first didn’t see anyone—but soon realized that yes, there was a car, which was already attempting to pass me! I was too far into my move to pull back between that car and the semi, so I stepped on the gas in an attempt to avoid an accident.

And we did avoid an accident—but no thanks to me. It was thanks to the alert driver behind me and the driver’s ability to quickly find a horn. She/he did not lay on the horn rudely like some would do (or as I deserved), but the driver assertively let me know that she/he was there! I took a deep breath, shook my head at myself, and after I finished passing the truck, settled back into the right slower lane to get my blood pressure down.

When the driver of the other car caught up and passed me, I saw that “it” was a woman. I heaved a sigh of relief because she was not even glancing at me, the imprudent driver, or gesturing rudely. Her calm pass made me feel like she was saying, “It’s okay, we all make mistakes, and I’ve done dumb things too, so I won’t go rubbing your nose in it.” Don’t you wish, as my husband sometimes does, that cars had the ability to flash messages to each other like “Oops, sorry” and “It’s okay; sometimes I’m careless too”? Women can be aggressive and rude drivers, but this one definitely was not.

I thanked God for that driver who was watching out for other drivers, and pray that I will carry that lesson with me. I have no idea how close we were to an actual accident, and I will try to be more aware that the blind spot of side mirrors increases as you round into a curve. No matter how experienced we think we are, refreshing ourselves on safe driving tips and practices—and being doubly courteous on the road—can pay off in saved lives and fewer crashes.

Have you been saved from an accident by someone else’s courtesy or smart move? Share in the comment section of our website at www.thirdway.com/aw. Or, for some great tips long-haul truck driver Tom Duregger, email MelodieD@MennoMedia.org. Or write to Another Way, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg, VA 22802.