Slurred speech, like a comedian impersonating a drunk, wafted through the open window into the bedroom where Marilyn and I lay sound asleep. I peered into the darkness to make sense of the curious conversation coming from my in-law’s driveway next door. I could barely make out an exaggerated whisper—“PSSSST…HEEY GARY! PSSST! GARY! Lookeehere…tha keyss are in this car!”
The interior lights of my in-law’s car came on and the engine roared to life. Gravel beat against the house as it catapulted down the driveway!
I bobbed and bounced around the dark bedroom in full Barney Fife mode, not sure which direction to turn. I shook Marilyn and shouted, “Marilyn, get up! Somebody just stole your dad’s car!” Marilyn rolled over and mumbled something unintelligible as I tore down the stairs, shouting over my shoulder, “Call the sheriff and then call Ken to come help me! I’m going after them!” Ken is our brother-in-law who lives on the other side of the Amish community we’ve got going on.
The tiny four-cylinder of my rusted Pinto wagon wailed as I bonsai’d the clutch and tore sod tracks across the yard. The thieves turned left but I went right; I knew I could head them off at the pass. Screaming through a four-way stop, the wagon listed hard starboard like a sailboat yawed against a leeward wind. I stole a glance toward Ken’s house, fully expecting to see him barreling at me from the Farm… but, no Ken.
Now I know it’s up to me. I matted the go peddle and the little Pinto reached deeper. At the state highway I killed the headlights—an old racers trick to detect oncoming cars. Seeing none, I violated a second stop sign, downshifted and power-slid onto the highway, skidding and clawing for traction like a cheetah after fleeing prey. When I intersected the gravel road the thieves had chosen, I geared down and slid sideways onto the tiny dirt road. I braced to meet my enemy head on.
But what I saw confused me: a cloud of dust dimly lit by cross-eyed headlights. As I approached, it became apparent that the thieves had lost control, jumped the ditch and T-boned a tree. I scrambled out of the car and rushed at them—stopping just short to consider what I was going do when I got there!
“Don’t move! The Sheriff is on his way!” I shouted in false bravado. Fortunately, at that same moment the welcomed flash of emergency lights appeared with Ken close behind. The cruiser’s headlamps lit the crime scene as Ken and the two deputies moseyed toward me and the crash site.
Squinting into the cruiser’s high-beams, I trotted toward the backlit silhouettes of deputies. Suddenly, they paused, placed their hands on their revolvers and commanded, “Stop right there!” Ken whispered something to one of the officers, and then sauntered over to me. “Ummm, Ron, don’t you think you ought to go home and put some pants on?”
It was only then I realized I was standing in the middle of the road wearing nothing but my underwear!
My overreaction in this incident left me looking foolish instead of heroic. I’m reminded how prone I am to become “overly dramatic” when life throws me a curve. When things don’t go “as per usual,” or when situations don’t go the way I anticipated, I often turn to fear or fight. I believe our reaction (or over-reaction) to life’s predicaments reveals a great deal about our faith in God. We say we trust God, but when things seem out of our control we push the panic—or the manic— button.
Dear Jesus, I am so sorry I go to fear instead of faith when life crashes on me. I’ve ridden life’s roller coaster with You long enough to know You can redeem every situation. Other people or other things may not always have my best interest in mind, but You do! Forgive me for those times that I fall into fear or fight instead of faith.
Read Jeremiah 29:11-13
- What can you find in this passage that should convince you to be less dramatic when drama happens?
- Since God has a personalized plan in place for you, how should that prepare you for the unforeseen?
- There are conditions we must meet in order to discover God’s good plan, what are those conditions (verses 12-13)?
- If we fulfill those conditions, what does God promise to do (verse 12)?
Read Philippians 4:12-13
- Think of a time when you were in need. Now, think of time when you had plenty. How did you respond internally during each of those times?
- What about this passage reminds us that no condition is a permanent condition in our lives?
- What is the condition that Paul is able maintain during bad times and good times?
- Ask yourself honestly, “How often am I content?” Why or why not?
Read Matthew 6:25-27
- Take a moment and list several factors of Jesus’ life on earth that align with the wisdom He shares here.
- We all struggle with worry, but what in this passage should cause you to worrying less?
- Do you think Jesus is suggesting that we shouldn’t brace against difficult times? What should we do?
- Jesus’ words encourage us to live more simply. How might you apply that wisdom in your life today?