Irritations

Have you ever found yourself wondering why other people get so steamed so easily that they honk at the car in front of them right at the moment the light turns green? The other day Jen and I went to lunch to talk about planning for church. On the way, a driver (of a Honda Civic, I’m mortified to say) honked at everyone almost all the way. A van turned into the street to make a u-turn, another mini-van followed so closely that the u-turn could not be easily accomplished. Our lane was effectively blocked, and the Civic driver kept honking—as if that would really help the matter. As soon as the lane cleared, the driver zigged and zagged around cars—and actually made it to the light at Seven Corners just ahead of us, which made me smile in self-righteous piety.

It’s easy for me to scoff at the absurd behavior, until I get to see it in myself. Andrew drove my car last night for an errand. This morning, I opened the door to find my seat moved all the way back, and leaning as far possible. At first, I found it irritating because I would have to reset everything to be right for me, but then I heard a car horn honking at another driver at the light, I suddenly saw how even this small irritation is a part of the same continuum as those drivers. I remembered the childhood lesson that anytime I point my finger at someone, there are three other fingers pointing back at me.

Oh, to pause, take a deep breath, and let it out releasing the silly irritations that get to me so that I can find the joy that God finds in those who irritate me. And in this joy may I find expectant waiting this Advent season.

Romans 12:3

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.