“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. ~ Psalm 37:7-8

Two men sit in rush hour traffic.  Each in their own car.  It’s 7:15AM and the beltway has been reduced to creeping along at 5 miles per hour.  It would have been a great day to try out those new toll express lanes, but it’s too late now, they are both committed to the slow lane.  It soon becomes obvious that they will be late for work.  WTOP says it’s a broken down truck in the right lane, but it could be anything.  Seems to happen all the time.  Beside them in the new express lanes, cars whiz by, taunting.

 One man rages.  Angry thoughts rise in his mind.  It’s more than just the traffic- it’s his life, his job, his finances, his kids.  The move and new job in northern Virginia was supposed to help all of this, but the pressure just seems to build.  It never stops.  He feels like he’s going to burst and then there’s this crazy traffic.  Disappointment with himself, others and God wells up in his soul like dark bile.  He feels the bitter burn.  The highway, he thinks, is a cruel metaphor for how he feels right now- stuck.  Stuck and alone in an endless stream of tail lights ribboning on seemingly forever, while cars just to his left zoom by unimpeded.  Angry words soon follow.  Not the guarded words of frustration he uses around family or co-workers, but the coarse, throaty words of his youth spill out of his mouth and fill the car like an angry waterfall.  He wasn’t made for traffic, he was made for speed.  And if something doesn’t change soon…. He doesn’t finish the sentence.  He doesn’t know what to say.  Leaning back in his bucket seat he cries out, “Oh God!”  Half prayer, half oath. 

One man rests.  Traffic is so frustrating, but on the other hand, it’s one of so many things that are completely out of his control.  After a quick apologetic call to the office and a few deep breathing exercises, he shifts his focus and the warm strains of worship music fills the car.  Plenty of time for reflection today, apparently, even if the setting is less than ideal.  Releasing his budding aggravation, he quiets himself, invites God’s presence and waits.  Thoughts fill his mind- worries and concerns both small and great.  Finances are tough, it looks like a lean holiday again this year.  The move to northern Virginia seemed like a good idea, but the kids aren’t adjusting well to their new schools and the cost of living is through the roof.  The strain at home is as thick as homemade oatmeal.  It’s been hard on everyone.  Just acknowledging that somehow makes it a little more bearable.  Mentally he takes each concern off his rather full plate and puts it onto God’s.  He imagines that God’s plate is probably bigger than his and it better be!  But, with his plate at least partially cleared, he can think with greater clarity.  True, life is a battle and he’s made his share of mistakes.  But whose life turns out exactly like they had planned?  Even when he and his wife haven’t been mindful of God in decisions and lifestyle (and there have been many such times) God has proved remarkably faithful.  He’s just so tired now.  Something’s got to change.  “God give me the wisdom, hope and strength to follow your lead through this hard time.”  More deep breaths, he begins to sing quietly, a bit off key as always, to a favorite tune on his MP3 player.   Traffic begins to lift.  

Both men make it to work a bit earlier than they expected.  One is ready to walk with God through the day and the other still feels angry and very alone.