My dad was a good man—eager to serve those in need and always ready to offer advice or encouragement. He did not draw attention to himself, and often helped others anonymously. But he had one quirk that drove me crazy when I was merely a teenager with a driver’s license. Whenever we traveled, he demanded to be seated behind the wheel. Dad had to be in control, driving himself to all destinations. He could not bring himself to trust others to get him there safely.
As he aged, Dad was no longer able to drive and had to eventually relent to allow others to chauffer him. He had to give up control. Amazingly enough, following a minor speed bump to this new way of life, he enjoyed the freedom to take in the scenery and to share in conversation without focusing his attention on potholes and detours along the road.
Now, as I’ve aged I’ve come to a realization: aren’t we much like my dad when it comes to trusting God to get us where we need to go? More often than not, we struggle with the need to keep our hands on the wheel…just in case. After all, we know the way better we should go better than He does, right? Relinquishing control is one of the hardest things—and one of the greatest roadblocks—for us.
Consider how often you try to take control of a situation instead of surrendering to God completely and trusting Him to work in your life. Then, let go of the wheel and let God take the driver’s seat. He knows the path that is meant for you. Trust Him to take you there, and enjoy the scenery along the way.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Blessings await as the winds of change whisper…
On ice, Matthew Bennett enjoys the limelight as star center of the Chicago Blackhawks. But off-ice, a string of reckless relationships has resulted in an allegation that he’s fathered a child. As Matt’s conscience is tossed into a firestorm, his wayward nephew, Grayson, stumbles to his doorstep in dire need of help.
Laila Peterson carries a heavy secret. Pregnant at a young age, she relinquished all rights to her daughter with hopes the child might have a better life. As her wounded heart heals, Laila opens Second Chances Day School and vows to mentor teens in need. But, when Matt’s troubled nephew enrolls at Second Chances, Laila is faced with a big challenge in the form of a hockey player with a bad reputation and loads of boyish charm.
Can the two overcome mistakes of the past and find a happy forever…together?
Mary Manners lives in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and their rescue dog Axel, mischievous cats Colby and Rascal, 6 rambunctious chickens, and 13 fish. Mary writes small-town family romances laced with faith, hope, and humor. Her books have earned multiple accolades including two Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, the Aspen Gold, the Heart of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. Mary loves long sunrise runs, Smoky Mountain sunsets, flavored coffee, and chocolate…lots of chocolate.
My father hated giving up driving, but found he loved riding in the bus and seeing the world up high.
I have a very hard time giving control to the Lord at times. I’ll think He’s got it then when I take a step back realize that I was still trying to make the situation go the way I wanted. I finally have to say not my will but thine be done!
Happy Presidents’ Day Mary! Relinquishing control is one of the hardest things. That is one reason why I do not enjoy flying and prefer driving. My husband of 47 years also preferred being the driver. Now that we are retired and take weekly back road trips to some of our favorite lunch spots, we share driving. He enjoys being able to enjoy the scenery. Letting go and let God is not always easy. Best wishes and enjoy your week.
My father always did the driving too! Personally, I do not like to drive, so I am fine with anyone taking the wheel…lol!
My husband, a truckdriver, did all the driving until he was in a bad truck accident(not his fault) then he let me do some of the driving! The drunk driver was killed in the accident and my husband was injured and out of work right months! Please don’t drink and drive!
Should be nine months!
My dad is just reaching the point where he may need to let someone else do the driving. That will be a hard transition for him.
Should be nine months!
I remember when my dad’s driving became unsafe, but he refused to give up. We had to ask his doctor to withdraw his license. Hard to believe he’s been gone 22 years… but at least he didn’t die in a car accident!
My hubby does most of the driving when we travel, and always when we’re towing the holiday trailer. Otherwise I might drive for an hour or so to give him a break. He likes driving, while I like taking in the views!
But in “life” yeah I have trouble giving up the wheel, too. It is a constant discussion between me and God.
My Daddy was the same way, he always had to drive. However, when he realized he no longer needed to drive, he gave up driving in such a way that I didn’t realize why he was doing it, not until many years after he passed away. He never did give up his license, either, though he quit driving. I enjoy driving, but I don’t mind if someone else wants to share it, especially on long drives. I used to tell Mom that Daddy didn’t have a problem giving up driving, and she’d better not! She didn’t, either, partly because I was already home with her as caregiver, and partly because she knew she shouldn’t be driving. She only had one accident in all her driving years, and it was not her fault, and long before she needed to give it up. She’d never had a ticket, either, and she drove into her 80’s.
The trust curriculum:
Trust 101: for children, can’t drive themselves. Learn to enjoy the view and don’t whine.
Trust 201: for late teens, could drive but no car of their own. Learn to enjoy the view, don’t whine.
Trust 301: for adults in the passenger seat, have car, not in it. Learn to enjoy the view, don’t whine.
Trust 401: for adults driving. Listen to and follow God’s directions. Learn to enjoy the view, don’t whine.
Advanced graduate classes taken at the heaven campus, easy A. :)
Hi Mary!
Thanks for sharing. I’m so glad your dad found joy in this transition.
Don’t I know it, Pam. We are two peas in a pod on this subject. Thank goodness for grace in these situations.!
Happy President’s Day to you too, Renate. How wonderful that you and your husband spend time together exploring the scenery along those beautiful back roads! This made me smile. Enjoy your week!
Hi Paula,
I am right there with you when it comes to driving. Thankfully, my husband enjoys taking the wheel. Thanks so much for sharing. I hope you have a beautiful week!
I am so sorry this happened to your husband, Rebecca. How awful, but I am thankful he has recovered. Your insight is a great reminder of the dangers of drinking and driving!
Hi Lori! I pray you will find a path to a smooth transition for this. I know my dad enjoyed watching the scenery, something he never got to do before. Maybe your dad will enjoy it, as well.
Hi Valerie! Thanks so much for sharing. Watching our parents age is hard, and even more so when we lose them. My dad has been gone 20 years now, and some days it’s still hard to believe. But I rest knowing I will see him again one day. I hope you have a beautiful week as you take in the views!
What a wonderful testament to love love you and your parents shared, Trudy! Such a lovely story. Thank you!
I love this. Thank you!!
Daddy passed away almost 24 years ago. It’ll be 24 years on March 24. Thankfully, I still have Mom! She’ll be 96 in May.
So true! Giving up control is and trusting is so hard for everyone, I think.
I know I’ll have to stop driving before long. Thankfully my daughters know I’ll stop when I feel uneasy about driving.
My dad thankfully was only not able to drive for 3 weeks before passing in a November.
I love this post. Giving God control is something I struggle with. This post reminds me of something I read somewhere once, it went along the lines of: how different would things be if we have as much faith in God’s control as we do that the sun will rise in the morning? I personally never spend much time wondering and worrying if the sun is going to rise because I know with every fiber of my being it will, my ongoing goal is to trust God that much in all areas of my life!
I hope you have a fabulous week!
Oops! Posted in the wrong place!
I love this post. Giving God control is something I struggle with. This post reminds me of something I read somewhere once, it went along the lines of: how different would things be if we have as much faith in God’s control as we do that the sun will rise in the morning? I personally never spend much time wondering and worrying if the sun is going to rise because I know with every fiber of my being it will, my ongoing goal is to trust God that much in all areas of my life!
I agree. This post is wonderful!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I enjoyed the metaphor. I’ve spent all day fighting for control over my 5-month old son’s feeding habits and It took me too long to realize I needed to surrender. I wished I had read your post earlier today.
My dad did all the driving before he died. I hate driving especially at night!
God bless you and your mom, Trudy!
Yes, I believe it is, Megan. I think it’s our natural instinct to try to be in control.
Hi Mary! I’m so glad your daughters are there to help you. It sure makes the transition easier.
Hi Caitlyn!
What wonderful encouragement! I so appreciate you sharing these thoughts with us. Thank you!
Hi Priscila! I remember the early days with my daughter. So much joy but also a good dose of stress at times. I am glad this post helped a bit!
Oh, I dislike night driving too, Linda. I avoid it if at all possible. Thank you for sharing. It’s encouraging to know I am not alone in this.
I am so sorry to hear about your dad. My prayers are with you, Leila.
Thank you, Abigail !
Thanks for this reminder to let go of the wheel. And I’m totally with you and Linda on night driving.
Driving is one area where I have no problem giving up control! I’d much rather read and enjoy the ride than do the driving. That will likely change to some degree when my kids are old enough to drove though! Growing up my parents used to argue a lot about who would drove some place and my mom most often ended up doing the driving while I was in high school. Now, my dad almost always does the driving for them. Funny how things can change.
This Post is so amazing My daughter drives me to my appointments and too the store and I don’t mind it a bit Thank you for sharing Mary!
I remember when my grandfather gave up driving. My parents would get him stocked up for weeks, and he was lucky to have a few good neighbors, too.
I think I would be happy with someone to drive me around. But I am a homebody and would prefer to stay home instead.
Mary, thank you for sharing!
It reminds me of my hubby 😁
My dad and my husband both were the I’m in control of the wheel types as long as possib!e, but when the time came they more or less relinquished the wheel willingly. In fact my husband used his time in the passenger seat to snooze and leave me to stay awake in my on.
I enjoy seeing the scenery from the passenger seat and letting our loving God take all control at the wheel!
I have to be honest… I’m a lot like your Dad. 🙈 Once I learned to drive I became a master at backseat driving, even to the point of trying to push a Brake to the floor that wasn’t even there. 😂 It quickly became apparent to me that I had been far too trusting when riding with others because they literally had my life in their hands. You are right, it all boils down to trust.
I have been blessed with an amazing dad! He has always been my biggest supporter.