Under the Bridge

One day I was bringing a customers car back to the workshop for repair. I was driving slowly through a long section of road works following a car with a trailer in front. As I drove I noticed the number plate on the trailer dropped a retaining screw and started to swing about. A road work traffic light halted the flow of traffic so I thought I would jump out and tell the driver in front about his number plate.

I knocked on the guys car, he noticed me with a little surprise and wound down his window. I said “G’day, did your know your trailer number plate…”

Right at this moment I noticed the customers car I was in was driving itself backwards up the slight incline. I released a sudden expletive and chased after the car. Fortunately there was no one behind me and I had left the drivers door open. I launched myself into the vehicle and saved the day.

Meanwhile the other guy had got out of his car. I drove back to my spot in line and shouted out my window, “Your trailer number plate is following off.” “Oh yeah, it does that sometimes, thanks.”

Turns out I had selected reverse not park before I had gotten out, the revs had picked up slightly when the air con came on… car responded accordingly.

Sometime life is like this. You go to do something important and something more immediately urgent buts its head in. The tyranny of the urgent. When urgent stuff holds up important stuff.

Often I feel like I’m pushing the proverbial manure uphill. It’s these times that I find I need to do a reality check. The tyranny of the urgent hides the blessings that are all around me.

When was the last time I went without food, was forced to sleep without shelter, was worried that a bomb might fall on me in the night? I may well be burdened with too much to do, but as my mother rebuffs when I complain of not enough time in the day, “There is enough time in the day, God gave us 24 hours so obviously 24 hours is adequate for everything he wants you to do!” Good point mum.

Jesus said “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” When I am pushing poop uphill, I probably really am pushing crap, because I’m carrying the wrong burden. What a waste of energy. 

Often all I need is a pause, a moment to bring my thoughts captive and have my attitude adjusted and all of a sudden I can leave the crap by the way side and spend my energy on what is worthwhile. Not always easy, but always a relief.

Oh I soon pick up a bunch of other shtuff, but maybe I’m wisening up. Maybe one day I can ditch the dung altogether and especially give up trying to push it uphill.