Image by Flickr user MPD01605. Used under Creative Commons license. Cropped from original.
Road Rage
I was leaving breakfast with my covenant group last week and was trying to cross a busy road. I was attentive to the traffic, which was steady in both directions, and easily waited eight minutes for a break. Traffic to the left was clear and I was just waiting for traffic from the right. As soon as the right cleared, I made my move. In my quick double check to the left, I discovered that it was no longer clear. I slammed on the breaks in more than enough time, but the car I nearly pulled out in front of blared their horn and flipped me off as they sped past.
Now, on the one hand, I deserved it. I was completely in the wrong. Had I actually pulled out in front of this car, it would have been disastrous. However, on the other hand, I barely was out from the stop sign and still in more than enough time. The reaction was completely overblown.
When I finally left (safely), I had to stop for gas. The gas pump was not going fast enough for me and so in my frustration, I let out a frustrated sigh and kicked the bottom of the pump, not exactly the brightest move in flip-flops). It helped absolutely nothing & hurt my foot a little bit.
Everyone is on edge right now. There is so much happening in the world that is beyond our control and some that is even beyond our understanding.
I really wasn’t angry at the gas pump. I was really mad at the person who flipped me off for no good reason. As I filled my car, I started to curse him under my breath. Then I wondered, “What set him off?” My guess is that it wasn’t just me. Was he running late for work? Was someone he knows sick or hurting? Did he get in an argument this morning? And what set that situation in motion?
Everyone is on edge right now. There is so much happening in the world that is beyond our control and some that is even beyond our understanding. War, violence, genocide, oppression, evil, injustice. As I’ve watched news unfold around the country and the world, I’ve waffled between disgust, sadness, disbelief, anger, and maybe a few other emotions that I can’t identify. I’ve watched as friends and colleagues have expressed their reactions in similar ways.
Some are channeling that anger in righteous ways. They’re marching in protest, they’re collecting necessary supplies for children, they’re holding peaceful rallies, they’re praying without ceasing.
And others don’t know what to do with their anger. They’re lashing out, they’re clinging to control, they’re starting arguments, they’re flipping people off, they’re kicking gas pumps.
What we say and do affects other people, whether we think it does or not. What we say and do affects other people. How and what we say and do affects other people. What other people say and do affect us, whether we want to admit it or not. How do you respond? St. Francis of Assisi offers this blessing, “May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart. Amen. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. Amen. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. Amen. May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen.”
Rev. Melissa Meyers serves as the lead pastor of Faith United Methodist Church in Genoa, IL. This article is reprinted with permission from UMC Lead.