Humble Driving

While I love Hong Kong, there are some aspects that I don't think I will ever adjust to and some things that really get to me.

I find HK to have a very 'survival of the fittest'... 'fend for yourself' attitude.

Now I don't think this is just a HK thing but I think it's much more obvious because the amount of people in a small space.

But I do think when it comes to driving, they are taught offensive driving versus how I grew up learning to drive defensively.

This morning as I came through the tunnel, there was a back-up.  Shocker, really.  Normally, most people are quite good at taking turns letting people in to help keep traffic moving.  But not the person next to me, in fact they did their very best to push me out of my own lane.

Just after I dropped Izzy off at school, I was following a taxi.  It stopped to let it's passengers out but it stopped in a pedestrian crosswalk area where there is a bit of a barrier for the people to stop in the middle of the street safely.  Had they parked just a few feet further up the street, where there was space, I could have easily passed him and kept on my way.  Instead, I had to slow way down for fear of running over the curb.

Needless to say I was a little annoyed and frustrated with this 'all about me' mentality.  I actually used these situations to talk to Isaiah about what it's nice to think about other people.  How if that person at the tunnel had just let me in or if this taxi would have just moved a few feet more, I could have easily moved on my way and not been frustrated.  How sometimes it's just little things that make a difference and make a person's day better.

Now, I've been praying lately that God would humble my heart and not let me think better of myself than others. And God answers prayer.  :)

As I merge onto the highway again, it's actually difficult to see, there's not much merging space, and actually quite difficult to get the right speed.  You can't go to fast in case there's a car you can't see but you can't go to slow to be able to keep up with traffic.  Anyway,  I come down the hill, see some traffic in the lane but I've got space.  Or so I think I do if I keep the speed up.

Seriously, I checked and double checked and pulled onto the highway.  Just seconds later the car behind me beeps his horn.  Apparently, he didn't agree with me.

So as I continue to drive, my heart sinks.  I didn't intend to cause frustration to someone else ... just as I'm sure that taxi driver didn't, though I can't be sure about the tunnel traffic... she really fought to not let me in.  :)

Humility stinks...

But I'm grateful that it happened because it made me more gracious on the drive home, more patient, more cautious and it reminded me that I'm not perfect and I need to keep coming to Jesus.

It's been a financial adventure ever since I lost my job with ELC.  God proved over and over again His love and faithfulness in His walking with us through this adventure.  Over and over that I should never doubt His ability to provide but yet I still do.

We had unexpected bills surface in September and class cancellations for me in October and November that leave me stressed to the core about how we will cover all the costs without going crazy.

Last night, I lied in bed, defeated.  With tears pouring down my face, I cried out to God... WHY?  Why did He allow this?  Did I miss something from Him that I was supposed to do?  How are we going to survive?  And eventually, with frustration in regards to something else I said... if you want me to do this, then you have to prove yourself and provide for my family?

And suddenly it hit me... that question from my BSF study about Moses, "Can you think of a time you blamed someone else because you forgot God's faithfulness and power to work in your situation?"  Yep, I know my answer now for sure and yep I'm still blaming them... oh wait, yes I'm still blaming them.  I'm angry and bitter and frustrated... and still blaming them.

God, please forgive me.  Forgive my anger, bitterness and frustration towards this person and situation.  Forgive my doubt and forgetfulness of Your provisions.

I remembered some wisdom a lady had shared the previous week at BSF.  And in her struggles, she stops to name how God has worked in her life to remind her that He is good.

Lord just in this short adventure you have:

1.  Sold our car when we were down to our last 100$.
2.  Gave us money to pay for our helper, the day before we hired her.
3.  Gave me a student who paid a full years worth of lessons up front.
4.  Numerous lunches and coffees paid for.
5.  Wellcome gift cards that covered several months of our groceries.
6.  Gave our family of 5 a flight to Bangkok for 7000 after the cost was 14000 just two weeks before. 7.  That same trip, You found us a money exchange that was 1-1 which gave us an extra 1000 to enjoy our trip.
8.  You gave us hand me down uniforms for Isaiah so we didn't have to buy any.


You truly are Jehovah Jireh, the Lord will provide.


As I started naming these amazing blessings and care of God, I got a text and cried.

One of the expenses coming up is Isabella's winter school uniform.  Man, this girl has grown like crazy over the past year and everything is about 2/3 inches short.  It's not a huge expense but still an expense and today was the day for the deposit and fitting of the uniform.

That text said,

"Hi
I've got some uniform items to pass on if you want them.  Jacket, 2 shirts, and a pair of pants."


Ok, ok God... I hear you loud and clear.  You are Jehovah Jireh and You most certainly provide.