When our kids were little they loved the television sitcom, Full House.  We constantly had discussions about the bad attitudes displayed, including disrespect towards good old dad.  But the middle daughter was the queen of these attitudes.  Whenever anyone crossed her path, she blurted, “How rude!”  Amazing how this little phrase still crosses my mind decades later!

It happened yesterday while driving.  Going along a bit above the speed limit just to keep from being overrun by the hoard, I didn’t noticed the road demon on my tail.  Very grateful I hadn’t, because I may have flinched.  Not a good thing to do while driving.

He sped past me as if I had greatly offended his plans.  I certainly didn’t mean to ruin his day, but he didn’t stick around long enough to know.  In no time he was way down the road tailgating another car.  I felt flustered and annoyed.  The question begs itself, why was he so rude?  Who made him king of the road?   I had a choice to make – let this effect my day, or choose to overlook and forget it.

By God’s grace, I chose the latter, but He wanted me to notice something important.

I realized how easily I can treat my husband this way, not on the road, but in our conversations. I have my mind on something when he asks a simple question, interrupting my thoughts.  It’s as if I’m cruising along at high speed when his question stops my progress.  I can choose to be rude by blurting out an answer wanting only to get back up to speed.  Or I can stop, look him in the eye and listen.

I don’t want to treat my husband this way.  I want him to know he has my full attention.  Easy?  No.  But it is what we should strive for.

The next time Tom wants to talk when I’ve got something else on my mind, I pray I will remember the rude driver, pause, and choose to treat him with the respect he deserves.  After all, chances are both of us will end up at the same red light down the road proving the fact that being impatient and in a hurry doesn’t get you to where you’re going faster.  It only makes you more stressed along the way.

Let’s make time for one another and be kind in the process.