When is the last time you got caught speeding? Do you remember how it felt? I hate that sinking feeling in my stomach when I see those red and blue lights in my rear view mirror. The last time I got caught speeding was this week, but it was a different kind of speeding. I wasn’t even in the car yet. I had a diaper bag and baby in one arm, and my coffee and phone in the other. I was trying to get all 4 kids out the door and into the car for a Costco run.
Things were going slowly, and I could feel my body tensing as I raised my voice and said to the kids, “C’mon c’mon, let’s go let’s go!”
My three girls were hurriedly putting on their shoes and trying to keep up with dad. We all sped out the door, and that’s when I got caught. My eight-year old daughter looked at me and said,
“Dad, why are you in such a hurry?”
As soon as those words left her lips, I felt a sinking feeling in my gut.
She was essentially pulling me over with the red and blue lights flashing.
She wasn’t mad, or hurt, she just didn’t understand why I was in such a rush. Truthfully, I don’t even remember why I was in such a rush.
We live in a “hurried culture.” I know there is a time for everything; a time to hurry, a time to get-a-move on, a time to work long hours, and a time move fast. However, unless you are an ambulance driver, a pilot, or a Nascar driver you might stop and consider that question my eight-year old asked me.
“Why are you in such a hurry?”
Being in a hurry costs me a lot more than any speeding ticket. Being in a hurry costs me in my closest relationships.
When I am in a hurry, I am not as patient.
When I am in a hurry, I am not as creative.
When I am in a hurry I am not the parent, spouse, employee, or friend I want to be.
When I am in a hurry, I am not attentive to the God who loves me.
The problem of hurry for me is very simple. When I am in a hurry I don’t love people very well.
What is it costing you?
When I slow down, I laugh more.
When I slow down, I listen better.
When I slow down, I hear my kids’ hearts, and not just their words.
When I slow down I remember that I am enough, and so is everyone else.
You might be maintaining a great pace to your life right now. I am so glad for you, you know exactly what I am talking about.
You also might be getting that sinking feeling in your gut as you read this.
The great thing about getting pulled over is that it causes us to examine why we are going so fast. It invites us to slow down, to enjoy the ride, to be present to the ones we love, and to be present to the Author of our journey.
- This is a great night to ask your loved ones how they feel about your pace.
- Easter is upon us, and I can’t think of a better thing to do this week than ask the God who loves you more than you can possibly imagine, “What do you think of my pace?”
“It is Finished!” and “He is risen!” have a great week.
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