By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA, BCC

Recently a fellow chaplain told of her growing edge, admitting how bothered she can get at other drivers on the road. She said, “I don’t know why people ignore signs—or at times even the lights!” I noticed the intensity of this kind woman’s voice and realized her as a kindred spirit. We both fill our lives with doing what we can to help others know they are loved by God within their illnesses, and/or deaths. We shared the truth that sometimes we need support in our own growth processes.

Many years ago while in a growth group talking about ways to improve ourselves, the subject of our road experiences came up. I blurted out this admission, “If you see me on the road, just pull over and pray!” That was a great group. We laughed a lot within these conversations.

My chaplain friend and I admit that driving still finds us fuming on occasions at least momentarily. And, as we talked further it was evident we both have recently decided to care more for other drivers, and to pray for them, while sensing that old feeling of “hot under the collar.” Sometimes it helps to pray that “certain drivers” will get well deserved tickets before hurting themselves or others. Some people learn this way.

Growing in patience is challenging, yet it clearly leads to an Excellency within spiritual growth toward which many of us continually seek to advance.

Galatians 5:22-24, is pertinent, here. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Once I prayed for patience—and only once. It seemed God was happy to answer that prayer … as He knows how much easier life will be as we work on gaining patience (self-control, even longsuffering). Then several “new” challenges came soon after, that seemed consequential.  So, that prayer calls for added spiritual gumption.

Gradually, we learn in life that God is love and one of His greatest gifts to us comes through our caring deeply for our “neighbors–even our anonymous neighbors next to us in cars. While growing in our ability to love we become empowered to gain the nine fruits of the Spirit shown above.

For sure, we will not always remember to be kind, caring and patient—and forgiving–while driving the roads. Still, let’s not stop trying. Every day is a new beginning. As Thomas H Palmer (1840), put it, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

I recently took a new tack for being patient while on the road. I asked God to help me become a dedicated driver. Being a dedicated driver will see me choosing as I put the key in the ignition to be “good as gold” while at the wheel . . . able to momentarily shift gears–out of judgement of others–into self-control. My hope these days is to always care about what other drivers may be going through in their lives while asking God to help them discover that they are loved and with prayer everything can turn out for the good as they place their trust in Him.

About the author: Joy Le Page Smith is a Board certified clinical chaplain. Her articles and blogs are read in 32 countries. Joy’s four books are available on her home page at Healing-with-Joy.com where readers can view–FREE–her children’s book titled, The Little Mountain Goat Who Was Afraid of High Places.

By Chaplain Joy Le Page Smith, MA

We all have stories. Could you be ready to write yours? It is my turn to encourage you to perhaps briefly tell of how you came to have faith in God. Six years ago when I told Bandon Bowers, Editor of Today’s News-Herald about this new idea, he liked it. So a weekly column titled “By the Book” resulted. 

Don’t make it hard to write your story. Just put on paper when faith came to your life—showing one or more unforgettable consequences.  You could title it, “This is my story.” Your local newspaper may print it, or you could start your own blog, taking time to often share your journey, you hopes, your dreams. Or, share what most lights the road of your life. For me, that is Jesus and God’s Work which we call the Bible. As an example, here is our son, Tim Ellis’ story. He will be first in telling of his encounter with God:

“While growing up, my mother read the Bible to us as a family at breakfast. We attended church regularly and I was happy to participate. Then, at age 13, I decided I wanted to leave home and live with my biological father. My parents divorced when I was 7. Gary, my Stepdad, and mom did not want me to make that move. It was very painful for Mom, but no pleading or reasoning worked. Nothing against them, but—I was gone!

This was a time of drifting . . . away from home and hearth, but also from my faith. Jesus Christ had been my mainstay—even during the tragedy of my best buddy being accidentally hung at age 10. But, when I left home, I also left God behind. Still, truth be told, God didn’t leave me.

Now, as a man of 62—I think back on my life and am amazed at how Christ drew me back. One day, while standing by an enormous tree contemplating a disturbing challenge, I knew the “bad” situation I faced to be self-inflicted. It came to mind that I could ask God for courage and strength to get through it. I wanted to feel His presence in my life, again. So, I found myself pleading with God for help.

Soon after that, an opportunity came for me to take a weekend and attend a church camp. An inner urging toward experiencing God in my life, again, was beginning to gain even more attention. So, I hoped two days away would help me work with some questions . . . and get back into having a sense of life holding meaning and purpose. Had I made a mistake in deciding to do life on my own? Was “doing my own thing” what got me into the mess I was in?

So, I decided to go. There surely had to be something better than I’d been living. While there, during community prayer, I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder. But, when I looked back to see who it was, there was no one there. At the close of the service the pastor asked people who wanted God in their lives to come forward for prayer. I found myself leaving my seat to join those who were moving toward the front.

How can I explain what was happening in my soul? There isn’t any way. But I will always remember that evening, while in prayer with the pastor. I was profoundly touched by an inexplicable Power. Consequently, my life was unforgettably impacted.

As I recommitted my soul to my Heavenly Father something major was restored within! I knew I was loved! Without a doubt life holds purpose and I could find peace in that.

In a moment’s time, I knew “God is real!” That truth was flooding my soul while standing at the altar. God was showing me—He was there for me.

A new challenge arose. A challenge of letting God take the lead in my life, so I could return to the faith of my earliest years. I took that challenge wholeheartedly.

Decades have passed since then. One of my greatest hopes, now, is for others who feel as overwhelmed as I did, way back then, to know that being in relationship with God truly is an amazing and exciting way to live out one’s life. God saw my inner longings—and when I reached out, He let me know, “Hey, guy, I’m here!” That was the “hand” I felt on my shoulder. His Holy Spirit, living within, has been guiding my life ever since. I’m sure this was and is—“meant to be.”

Thank you, Tim, for sharing you story! Will yours be next? If you send it to me at Jsmith.chaplain@gamil.com, I will be sure Brandon, editor of Today’s News-Herald gets it. 

About the author: Joy Le page Smith, MA is a Board Certified Clinical Chaplain. Visit Healing-with-Joy.com for Joy’s blog along with many helpful articles addressing life’s difficulties. Her books and blogs are read in up to 32 countries. See her children’s book on YouTube FREE at Healingwithjoy.blogspot.com