August
2006
Driving Lessons
Note from Meredith: Welcome to Vasthi Acosta, our newest Violet Voices contributor! Hope to hear more from you soon, Vasthi. Welcome her by leaving lots of good comments about this great driving story. And if you aren’t a contributor yet, what are you waiting for? Click on Tell Your Story on the right for more info.
My 17 year old daughter is learning to drive.
Yes! It’s terrifying!
What is this tiny princess doing behind a wheel of destruction?!
Except, she’s not tiny, but five foot eight inches, with dark huge eyes and straight brown hair that caresses her bottom. She’s a Latina Pocahontas–but that’s her mother talking.
As I dealt with the multiple, swirling feelings inside me, regarding my daughter’s rite of passage, I remembered learning to drive at her age. In my time, you couldn’t show up at school, on your birthday, without your driver’s license in hand. Proof that you had indeed turned seventeen. Even school officals expected you to be late to school on that day.
I remember the first time I sat behind a steering wheel and felt the power of the engine–realized all the damage I could wreak with just a flip of my wrist. A sobering moment. As I drove down the street, I noticed for the first time all the possible dangers. To the right, a mother holding a child’s hand, waiting at the curb. To the left, an immense oak tree that could swallow me and the car whole. I had to steer straight.
Once on the highway, I had to learn how to pass the speeding 18 wheelers, without hyperventilating. I needed to focus, not on the truck to my right or the guardrail to my left, but straight ahead. Keep my eyes on the car before me and not waver.
These were important lessons.
Proverbs 4:25-27 says:
Let your eyes look staright ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
This is what I want for my daughter, and not just as she learns how to drive, but as she maneuvers through life. I want her to learn that looking to the left or right won’t get her safely home. Instaed, she needs to focus straight ahead; gaze directly at Jesus and her paths will be made level.
Don’t we all need to do this?
Wouldn’t it be a great driving lesson for life?
Let’s purpose to do it today. In the meantime, if you live anywhere near New York City, watch out– my daughter’s on the road.
From Meredith: Here are some links regarding teens and driving that looked pretty good!
The Driving Lessons by Violet Voices, unless otherwise expressly stated, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Written By: Vasthi Acosta
Posted under: On Being a Parent . 
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Thanks for a wonderfully drawn portrait, Vasthi, and a moving (pun intended) story.
What a wonderful correlation between the day to day and the word of God. I also remember my first day on the road. I was filled with excitement, but scared out of my mind. It’s comforting to know that on the journey of this life, on the road of the straight and narrow, that Jesus is in front guiding us safely to our home. Thank you Vasthi for reminding us to look to Him and remain focussed.
Hi Vasthi,
this is your first blog and my first time to ever respond to a blog. thanks for the invite.
I loved your post. How I rememeber those days of three teenagers at our house.But where other mothers hold back, I was so happy when our Kevin learned to drive. He took over part of the taxi Mom job for me, ie picking up the other two from afterschool sports, some errands, I taught all three to be good shoppers so I didn’t spend so much time at the grocery store, the post office, you get the picture. Kevin got his driver’s license and I got some freedom.
Always looking on the bright side. oh, and Kevin got prayed for more too.
Lauraine Snelling
Oh my gosh, Lauraine Snelling posted on my blog! *squeal* And her first blog comment, too, no less. Wow, I will never wash this computer screen again.
Thank you, Vasthi, for inviting Lauraine.
And Jon, and Judy, thanks for commenting, too. Isn’t it amazing that God gives us insights into His character out of even the most daily tasks like driving? My oldest child is 8 so I have a few more years to go, but I remember learning to drive. What an adventure!
Hi Vasthi,
Reminds me of Pilgrim’s Progress and all Christian’s trials and triumphs as he persevered. I can’t help but think of the One who’s waiting at the end to welcome us home! Good thing He keeps us on the road, or I’d be taking out guard rails and smashing into stop signs. (The first time I drove, my mom made me drive my dad’s jeep, which is a stick shift. At a pivitol turn, I hit the gas instead of the brake and ran over the stop sign that was RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HIGH SCHOOL. My mom sent me on inside, but a cop had to come get me out of my class. I can still feel the eyes of my friends on the back of my head when I left with him! Yeah, just call me Jeff Gordon.) Wait, that story probably doesn’t help you out too much, does it? Don’t worry, Vasthi, I’m sure your daughter is a MUCH better driver!
Great story (and word picture)!
I love thinking about my spiritual journey as a road: driving, walking, crawling forward on my hands and knees.
Lori
Congrats Vasthi on joining the blogoshpere!
From experience I can tell you that teenagers and cars are like cornflakes and bananas. LOL…as long as the banana is firm, you don’t get a mess!
I’m sure you’ve taught your daughter well, and with the Lord’s help, you both will survive her entrance into the world!
Vasthi, congratulations to you on your foray into the blogosphere. Now you can hold my hand and walk me through this strange new territory!
Loved your story!
If it’s any consolation, my daughter is now a better driver than her mother . . . and dare I say, her daddy, too.
Great visual and reminder!
Thanks all for your comments!
Thank you Meredith for the opportunity!
Be blessed.
Vasthi
Nice story mom! I cant believe ur on a blog now! How cool r u? Most moms dont even kno wat a blog is. i am too lucky to have u as a mom. Lots of love, feel free to write all about me on the blog! lol jk jk. oh and everyone reading pray for me on thursday! I go for my license test! love ya mami!
~Z
Hey, Vasthi,
Great analogy. “Drove” home the point. Keep on bloggin’.
Thanks Vashi,
This is something I need to be reminded of - keeping my eyes straight ahead - not looking around to the left or right - thanks for the reminder!
Zila,
“You go girl”
Cheryl
Vasthi:
Your blog on driving was great. I can feel the emotions myself even though my oldest is just turning 15. I have already been wondering what kind of car I will let him drive! Thanks for the encouragement to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus!
Keep on blogging!
Yvonne R.:
Vashti:
Great blog !! You have touched a nerve with all of us that are going through the very same experience and with those that have been through it. Something we will never forget.
Keep Christ close and the wheel will be steady.
Vasthi,
Your article is Hysterical!!
Been there done that!
All I can say is thank God for driving schools!!
Your words remind us of that although this is a crazy time we can look upon it with tenderness,humor and God’s Grace. There’s a lesson for us in everything we experience.
Our God is so awesome.
Honey-
I loved the story. But I need to go and breath into a brown paper bag; I am not feeling so good:) I am not sure whether it is from the fear that our Z will be on the road soon or from the upcoming car insurance bill.
Keep up the great work; you are a cool mom…wife…driving teacher…
EEP!
I enjoy your articles and the layout of your site. I will visit your blog again.
Hi Vasthi,,
Would you forgive me for getting on your face the other day? And to comment on your story, I am so glad that my Cris is gone to college and does not drive my car anymore. I know that God protects our kids but I still have to pay for the insurance.
Rolandito
Hey Vasthi
As 1 of your daughters best friends i must say their is not much to wory about Z she is a very safe driver and when she drives im usually with her and since im very aware of my surroundings we make it home and back. But i know that u r a mother and all u women do is worry (i mean my mother is ur friend this is why i have not recieved my liscense yet) but as long as you put us completley in gods hands im sure we will make it to are destination and back home safe