Dim Those Lights!

"I'm so glad you all drove over.  Drive carefully and watch for deer. I love you!" our daughter #2 said as we headed out after spending the day celebrating Thanksgiving with the family.

I always dread driving after dark even though my husband is a good driver.  And, I particularly dread driving back highway 23 and 45 because of the deer population.  They don't seem to care about anything but crossing the road whenever they choose.

We leave the five lane highway at Hindsville and head on the two lane back to our home.  The headlights of oncoming traffic on the five lane when it's crowded with people heading to their Thanksgiving destination or leaving from work isn't pleasant but, it's nothing like the two lane we have to travel through the deer infested woods.

"You would think people would have the courtesy to dim their headlights when they meet you on this narrow road, wouldn't you?" I said to my husband, " people must be headed to the mall to shop.  They sure do seem to be in a hurry, not caring if they pass on a yellow line or fail to dim their lights."

I was taught when learning to drive years ago that when you meet oncoming traffic, you clicked the dimmer switch, which was located in the floor board.

"If I was guessing, I bet most young people don't even know there is a dimmer switch on their vehicles.  I'm not sure what the excuse is for those older people who don't dim their lights," I said, as I fumed about the blinding lights; especially those new blue ones that feel like a laser when they hit your eyes.

When we finally pulled into our drive, I was exhausted from seeing those blinding lights and trying to see any deer who might be thinking about making a mad dash across the road.

Years ago, young people were taught to respect their elders; to respect each other and, if necessary, put their wants on the back burner. By 18, a lot of young adults were beginning their own families, careers or a few went to college. They had to be respectable in those days if they wanted to retain their jobs or find favor with their college professors. Society has changed....our government has changed.....respect is not something easily found anywhere and that includes behind the wheel of a vehicle. 

Young people and older adults as well have programmed themselves to the idea that rudeness, thoughtlessness and disrespect are a way of life. We live in a Me society. If it's okay with me, then it should be okay with you.  I will do my thing; you do yours and we will get along fine.  Never mind if I shove my way in front of you in line or I fail to dim my headlights when I meet you. And, should you get in my way on the highway, I might just as soon shoot you as not. I'm comfortable with what I do and that's all that matters.......just stay out of my way.

Galatians 5:22 in The Living Bible tells us this:

^"But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,   gentleness and self-control"

How many of us are allowing the Holy Spirit to control our lives? Are we exhibiting those attributes?  If I was guessing, very few of those bright, blaring headlights were being controlled by someone who lives by those verses.

Think about this when you are traveling at night. You might be meeting some old people like us on the highway who were taught to dim our lights and we always appreciate those who do the same.