Teaching Tuesday / Daily Living = Teaching Opportunities

This past weekend as we were returning from a business trip a teaching opportunity for my children presented itself.

Driving down the interstate can be quite nerve racking, especially if you are a country girl like me. We were in a good bit of traffic on a section of road which I wasn't familiar with, when I realized that I needed to get over in the right lane. I saw a small car behind me, so I turned on my blinker, and proceeded to get in the right lane. I had plenty of time and space or so I thought. Obviously, the small car's driver behind me didn't think so. After passing me, the driver commenced to bless me with their opinion of my driving skills by "shooting me a bird" not once but twice. They obviously didn't think I had seen the first one. I had, but chose to ignore it except to start praying for them. But the second one, my children in the vehicle with me saw it.

My children were very indignant and angry that anyone would do that to their mama. The responses ranged from furious exclamations to threats of what they would do to them if they ever got their hands on that vile, evil person.

Then as the car pulled further and further away and their chances for retaliation against the perpetrator diminished, somewhat frustrated they began to demand what I was going to do about it.

All this took place in less than two minutes, and I had immediately began to do what I do in those situations. I had started praying for the poor soul asking Daddy G to bless them . So, I explained to the kids how I had started praying for the person the 1st time that they let me know that I had displeased them by changing lanes. To which Elijah asked with shock in his voice,

"Doesn't that make you mad?"

To which I replied, "No, why should it?"

I continued explaining that perhaps I had frightened the driver, and frightened people can respond terribly wrong. Perhaps, they were having a really tough day, and I had unwittingly made it worse. Whatever the motive of their heart, all I'm to be concerned with is what's in mine. I love the way Todd White says it.

"I can't let the sin against me, become sin within me!"

I love that! I am not responsible for others actions towards me, justified or otherwise. But I am responsible for my response to those actions.

You should have heard the silence as my subdued children pondered my response, or the lack thereof towards such a obviously, blatant attack!. The only noise in the vehicle was the silent turning of the wheels in their brains as they processed what I had said and did.

This is not a let's applaud Bonnie's self-control. I simply shared the scenario to show you how easy it is to find teaching moments in your daily lives.

I kind of think that this is what the Lord meant in Deuteronomy 6:7,

"Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road [or ride down the interstate], when you lie dow and when you get up."

Our daily living provides teachable moments everyday that we need to be sharing with our children. Let's ask Holy Spirit for the wisdom to recognize them.

#TeachingTuesday #DailyLivingEqualsTeachingOpportunities