Merging

From the moment Allie Kelly and I got kicked out of Drivers Ed class in the 9th grade, I knew that driving was not going to be my strong point. That incident (which is another story for another time, and really not that interesting) was soon followed by a thrilling experience that took place behind the wheel of a car traveling down highway 183 during rush hour. Did I mention I tried to “merge” going 30 mph….hence the use of the word “thrilling.” Merge. I knew that you merged when you drove. I could even use it in a sentence. But actually doing it was a completely different thing. Not to mention, it was my second time ever behind the wheel of a car, and I had the added bonus of car accidents running in my family (also another story for another time, but much more interesting). However, I did have the advantage of a very encouraging teacher. As she was yelling at me to “merge,” she also was kind enough to ask me, “do you see all those cars moving? They’re swerving because they’re trying to get away from YOU!” This word of encouragement, of course, did wonders for my driving at the moment and for my future confidence as an operator of a large killing machine.

As scary as it was, I received my official Diver’s License on my 16th birthday, accompanied by a forest green Jeep with gold stripes. Yes, I said gold. And I looked hot in all the pics my mom took of me sitting on the hood of my new jeep in front of my local branch of DPS. Eventually I learned to merge, so that cars no longer had to swerve out of my path, and 3 accidents and 1 ticket later, I had become what you would call an “experienced driver.”

Merging. When witnessed from afar, it appears rather simple, but it’s not that easy is it? You not only have to plan ahead, but you have to step out on faith, even if it is a small amount of faith, and hope that some random stranger will let you in.

Christian and I were talking tonight about truly knowing people. I mean, do you ever really know a person? Do you think that Adolph Hitler’s mistress ever thought him capable of mass genocide when he was simply Adolph the painter? In truth, entering into a relationship with someone is much like merging. You not only have to step out on faith, but you have to hope and pray that the other person will be willing to let you in (and that he or she will not be a complete psychopath). And then there’s the planning thing. But in my opinion, God is much better at that than me. I am eternally grateful to the Maker that, in His graciousness, he changed the plans I had for my life and allowed me to merge with such an incredible man of God. No, merging for us was not easy, nor was it done perfectly, but there are not words to adequately describe the pure joy of being let so deeply into another’s life. To be headed down a new road that you know has much greater purpose and possibility than your road before is an amazing, yet humbling feeling. Thank you, Christian, for letting me in, for leading me down a more beautiful path, and for putting faith in our Maker. You are, and always will be, the best merge I ever made.