Lessons on merging

Sunday's lesson at church has been rumbling around in my brain all week. Every time I drive by this specific spot, that was mentioned in the lesson... Portions of the lesson flash through my brain. I suppose that is The Lords way of saying: “Hey You! Right there! Listen to what you were taught! Yeah. I'm talking to You!”

I talked in an earlier post about the construction around my home... and the traffic. Oh that dreaded traffic. There is a specific road that merges onto the horrendous main road. Merging onto the main road almost takes an act of God. Really. Its ridiculous. You can sit at that little intersection for up to 5 minutes, while people drive by and ignore you.

The teacher talked about this intersection... and she talked about the frustration she felt in trying to merge.. when it all just clicked in her brain. She said she watched, as there were 3 types of drivers that would drive by. The first was the driver that was SO focused on his destination, that he had no clue there were any other people even around-- and would just blaze right past-- oblivious. The 2^nd was the one who PRETENDED not to see her, and would speed up, so close to the car in front of them... all the while pretending that she wasn't there. The 3^rd was the one who noticed her, then acknowledged her, stopped and motioned for her to merge.

This has a direct correlation to how we interact with others, or more specifically, how we treat others.

How often are we like the 1^st car-- oblivious to those around us-- and we blaze by everyone without giving any regard to others or their needs?

How often are we like the 2^nd driver? We see others, who may desperately want to be our friends, and associate with us, yet we PRETEND we don't see them? We just ignore them (because they are annoying or weird or whatever...?) How many people are there in our lives that we are ignoring or pretending not to see?

Then, lastly, how often are we like the 3^rd driver? Welcoming to all those around, and trying to include, and be nice to everyone?

I guess what hit me was when she said that the Savior is like the 3^rd driver, but in reality we were all probably more like the 2^nd driver. I have found myself reflecting on this discussion everyday since, as I sit in traffic... at the spot she spoke of trying myself to merge.

Merging into traffic is difficult at times... so is merging into peoples lives. Its tricky, and sometimes scary. How often have I been the one that has blazed past people... oblivious? Or worse, how often have I known people wanted to be in my circle, yet I ignored them... hoping they would just go away. I am ashamed to admit that I have done this. However, I do want to be more like the 3^rd driver.

No one person is better than another. We all have something to offer. All of us are children of a Loving God... wanting to be accepted and loved. Everyone wants friends... My goal is to be CONSCIENCE of others around me who may be wanting or needing.
We all need to feel loved.
I can do that.

My daughter and I came home together after church and she mentioned how much she really liked this lesson. She said she had been trying hard to not be mean or gossipy with other girls. But, its hard. However, after hearing this lesson, she really wanted to try harder to be better. She said she really wanted people to know that their names were safe with her. She wanted to be THAT safe place...

Isn't that all that the Lord requires of us? To be kind to everyone we meet; be that safe place and just BE better? (theres that word BE again...)

“The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through the world. There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people who will appreciate our compassion, our encouragement, who will need our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring; all of which have the potential to turn a life around. It’s overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt! - Leo Buscaglia

Thats really all I want. To know that I made a difference in someones life. And, it seems to me, that will be accomplished by the small and simple acts that I can do.

What kind of driver are you?