Driving Pet Peeves...

I am not one given to road rage. In fact, I dare say I am one cool and collected driver. But that doesn't mean that certain things don't urk me.

Take for instance this situation: you're cruising down the stretch--no one in front and no one in back. You've set the cruise control on and are just sitting back enjoying the moment when some numbskull pulls out right in front of you and pokes--forcing you to jam on the brakes to avoid a sure crash. This person obviously has no common sense--let alone common courtesy. Either that or they really need glasses 'cause they couldn't see you coming! But seriously, what sense does this make?! I think I am a magnet for this sort of experience--it is a rare thing if this doesn't happen each day I go to work. The crazy part of it is that it usually takes place out in the country. (I think the farmers have a coalition against city and town folk driving along their country highways. But that's just my opinion...)

Then there's the speeding tailgaters--you know the ones: in your rear-view mirror you see a little dot--some may call it an 'iota'--way in the distance. 15 seconds later you look in the mirror again. Suddenly that little iota is now a crazy lunatic right on your tail. The only thing that brings you a little relief is when the stream of oncoming traffic clears so he can pass you and get on with the NASCAR race he was in just moments before. But there's one problem...he doesn't pass you...he stays right where he is...close enough to be hitched to your car. What is wrong with these people? What happens if something (like that crazed person in the first scenario) cuts me off and I have to jam on the brakes? I would have a very hard time getting anything into my trunk as it is now compressed and sitting in my back seat. Like, where on earth did these people learn to drive?! I know I never took that course!!

Sometimes after a hard day on the road I start thinking it wasn't so bad in the old days--you couldn't live life in the fast lane; there weren't any instant gratification outlets: drive-thrus, microwaves, high speed internet, cell phones, et al. Our forefathers just took life as it came--through a lot of hard work, sweat, and tears. But I think they also enjoyed life more than we do now. They took the time to stop and smell the roses. Perhaps we should slow down in our hectic rat race of daily living--think about what we have to be thankful for--and communicate that appreciation in all of our circumstances. Just a thought...

Happy Trails!

Point of Grace in Concert

WOW! What an amazing performance! Point of Grace has been my favourite CCM group since they emerged in 1993. But living up in Ontario, Canada isn't the best spot to catch concert tours. Oh sure, big personalities will often times come to Toronto, but that's one city I don't like to frequent. I'm just a small town girl--big cities intimidate me very easily. So for the past 10+ years I've been patiently waiting for the girls of POG to come to my area. They finally made it, and it was sure worth the wait!!!
It was held in a fairly small church (I've seen far bigger, but for that matter, there are lots that are far smaller too). I had a great seat--3rd row center. With my camera ready I was set for a great night! (I think half of the spots in their eyes were from my camera...shhhhh)
Denise, Heather (who was very pregnant with her 4th), Leigh, and Shelley came on the platform and belted out "Day by Day". The interesting thing to note was that their pianist was none other than Michael from another CCM group, Avalon--he emerged from behind the ivory at one point to sing the hit "Testify to Love".
Shelley took the mic and addressed everyone--introducing the crew, etc. and just making the ususal concert small talk. She is quite humorous! A natural entertainer. She had the entire audience in stitches several times during the night.
At noon that day, the four of them had lunch in a little cafe in downtown London. They had a great waiter, Tony, whom they had given tickets to see the show that evening. Looking out into the crowd, Shelley said "So, Tony, are you here?...long pause...Yeah, well, thanks for coming out..."
They sang many "old" songs from their records as well as a few from their up and coming album "How You Live". Shelley also sang my personal favourite, "Jesus Will Still Be There" (so I was definitely a happy camper).
It was a great night filled with great music and fellowship.
After the concert, the POGsters signed autographs and posed for photos. I had been banking on this--I'd spent the previous week and a half working on a portrait of the four of them. When it was my turn with the Fab4, I pulled out my sketch and they each signed it for me. They were all so warm and friendly--taking a genuine interest in what I had to say in the brief moments I was there with them. They were so genuine, too. Especially Denise, whom I spoke with the most.
Altogether it was a most enjoyable experience. I don't get to many concerts or similar events, so this was a very special treat for me!
Point of Grace is one group I definitely encourage everyone to see live! :)

Friends or Foes?

I'm sure everyone knows what I'm talking about here--someone you thought was a good friend turns around and stabs you in the back. We've all been there at some point or another... Looking back, I would say that about 90% of the friends I've had in the past have all turned on me one way or another. You'd think I'd be use to it by now! Not so. Last week a "friend" who I've known for 3 years gave me quite the cold shoulder. I really liked her too--we had a lot in common and had a lot of fun together. I even went to her wedding 2 years ago. But the coldness and callousness that I felt walking into work with her that day was too evident to overlook or deny. I'd been had once again.
Amid the hurt, all I could think of was what a waste of time! Because of my past experiences I go into any friendship with a lot of walls. I've been hurt too many times in the past to just waltz into a friendship without some protection. They have to gain my trust and friendship. This "friend" had gained my trust--I had let the walls come down between us...only to be stabbed in the back when she had the chance.
The thing that makes it so irritating is that you don't expect the same silly tactics used by elementary and high school kids still being used in adulthood. This is what galls me--when do people grow up?! These stupid games people play are aggravating!
If that weren't bad enough, I also had a guy that I was interested in give me the brush off the same week. Although we had never dated, we had gotten quite close through emailing each other back and forth--in the beginning it was a least once a day. I really liked the guy--we had almost everything in common (which is very uncommon for me considering my interests and values). And instead of just coming right out and saying that he doesn't think it will work out, he sends me mixed messages--until last week. If that was a "hint" it was a very loud one. When all he could say was "hello"...and nothing more...that's when I knew.
I wouldn't say I'm slow at reading the signs--I just try to believe the best of people and give them the benefit of the doubt. Usually that means I end up getting hurt in the end.
So how did I come out of the hurt of last week? I lost myself in good music--music that really spoke to me in my situation. Here are the lyrics to a particular song that really encouraged me:

Jesus Will Still Be There

Words by Robert Sterling/Music by John Mandeville

***

Things change, Plans fail

You look for love on a grander scale

Storms rise, Hopes fade

And you place your bets on another day

When the going gets tough

When the ride's too rough

When you're just not sure enough

***

(Chorus)

Jesus will still be there

His love will never change

Sure as the steady rain

Jesus will still be there

When no one else is true

He'll still be loving you

When it looks like you've lost it all

And you haven't got a prayer

Jesus will still be there

***

Time flies, Hearts turn

A little bit wiser from lessons learned

But sometimes, Weakness wins

And you lose your foothold once again

When the going gets tough

When the ride's too rough

When you're just not sure enough

***

(Repeat Chorus) (2x)

***

When it looks like you've lost it all

And you haven't got a prayer

Jesus will still be there

***

In my brokenness, I found true joy--knowing that God sees what I'm going through and cares about it. That's the hope I cling to. Only God is perfect. Humans will always let you down--but He won't. I don't need to put any walls up when I come before God--He already knows, and I already trust Him. That's true freedom! And it brings true joy in the midst of the pain! ;)