Daily Devotional

There we were at the Department of Motor Vehicles—no one’s favorite place! It was one of those times, as an eighteen-year-old cop’s daughter, I felt the pressure. I adored my Dad and wanted to him so proud I was his daughter. He winked at me as my name was called and I stepped up to take my written test and driver’s test. It was a big moment when I showed my Dad both test results and declared: “I did it! I am a licensed driver!” I basked in my Dad’s praise for my accomplishment as we walked to his truck.

Getting in the driver’s seat with my Dad next to me, I flashed him a huge smile as I strapped on the seat belt. The truck engine roared to life as I turned the key. I felt all bubbly inside—for a moment! I backed up and suddenly hit a parked car! I scraped the chrome strip right off the other car. In horror, I burst into tears right there in the DMV parking lot. I had gotten in my first car accident less than five minutes after getting my license. I think that’s a record!

To my surprise, I heard my Dad’s laughter. I turned to look at him and sure enough, he was belly-laughing! No correction. No lecture. Just pure, wholesome laughter. He pulled me into his arms and hugged me saying it was going to be all right. As he chuckled into my ear, I also began to laugh. What could have been the most terrible day in my life turned out to be one of the sweetest memories with my Dad. I never loved him more than at that moment when he laughed at my disaster. He then walked with me as we searched for the owner of the car. Without embarrassment as a policeman, he nonetheless went through all the steps to make my mistake right for the owner of the car.

My Dad and I had some really uplifting conversations about that day in the DMV parking lot. Throughout my life he reminded me that we all make mistakes and that he would never stop loving me—even if I did hit a parked car!

I am not sure my DMV accident record is still on the books; it certainly is imprinted on the tablet of my heart. Our laughter over my first moments owning a driver’s license has truly been a healing medicine for these seven decades of making many more mistakes. And, yes, I have been in other accidents, none of them my fault—so far!

For Parents and Grandparents

1. Memorize Proverbs 17:22 with your children  and talk about it.
   
   
2. Look for opportunities to teach your kids that you love them—even when they make mistakes or when difficult things happen.
   
   
3. Share with your children a few mistakes you have made in your life.  Have a good laugh about them.
   
   
4. Think about how you can bring your children joy when they are down or hurt.  

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation