That First Time Driving

When I held my first license in my hand, I remember the thrill. To me, it meant independenceand freedom and a LOT of trips to the mall.

I also remember the fear. I sat behind the wheel and stared. That wheel. The brakes. The gas. My hands. Together they would be a great journey or a terrible tragedy.

Julie Arduini

Yep, I was a very uptight person.

I understood that it was a car and a weapon. And my fear was off the charts.

Why am I driving down memory lane?

Because I realized that when I heard earlier this week that a normal part of my life is opening back up, I was excited. Then terrified. In about two seconds worth of processing.

Now that we can see an end not so much of the virus but our time at home, it’s exciting. Freedom to go shopping. Get a haircut. See people.

The fear that I can’t see what’s in a room. Even with all the protocols in place, what if I get it wrong? What if I arrive and I’m putting someone at risk? What if I give the green light to our kids, one who is high-risk?

I stayed on fear, and there’s nothing healthy in that.

As I processed it through prayer, I realized the date for the more public things we’d be returning to, if we choose, is a good three weeks later than other things that are happening that we will be a part of. Ortho. Dentist. Hair. I have zero fear about going there. If everything else is later, and all protocols are going to be enforced, it’s okay to go.

It’s also okay to be excited.

It’s also okay to not go.

And it’s really okay to allow everyone their freedom to go or not.

We’re entering a place of tentative freedom where conviction comes into play. There’s no finger wagging from heaven saying “We shall Not Go to…” the hair salon, the office, wherever it is. In fact, God’s not a finger wagger. Any commands He gives is out of love and protection.

But convication means there is no hard rule. If you’re allowed to go to the hair salon and you feel it’s right for you, have at it. If you want to wait a little, that’s peace for you.

And that’s where I’m at. We will attend a couple appointments in May for medical sake when it comes to those at risk. The fun things for our at-risk members? We are waiting a little and doing those in June. With protocols like social distancing and masks, if that is something recommended.

That’s the answer for us. It gives me peace and the fear is gone.

Just like that first drive. I knew I’d never get over the fear if I didn’t put the key in ignition. I had to activate and choose to move forward. I’ve been driving since 1986. One accident. Zero tickets.

If you’re starting to freak out because you might have the opportunity to leave home, don’t let fear rule. Go to God. Ask Him what’s right for you. And enjoy the peace that comes with His answer.

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We’re done! Hannah and I finished the Surrendering Stinkin’ Thinkin’ series and the last book, You’re Brilliant, is available for pre-order for Kindle and print should be available very soon. Check it out when a group of high school girls and their mentors discover they are more than competant. Free Kindle Unlimited.