Lessons Learned

I had the distinct privilege not long ago of taking my niece out for a spin in my Jeep.  I'm a bit of a holdout when it comes to vehicle technology, preferring to drive a stickshift rather than the much more common automatic.  Not many of my sort left.  So, I was blessed when Kenzie said she wanted to learn to drive a stick, and especially blessed that she wanted me to teach her!

We headed out on the backroads where traffic was light, and found a roomy parking lot to start in.  After going over the basics, Kenzie gave it a first try.  The Jeep sputtered and lurched, and then finally stalled.  She tried it again.  And again, the same result.  Our heads were bobbing as the tires screeched, and the Jeep jerked forward and backward and stalled again.  Not one to give up, she tried again.  And again.  And again.  I was impressed with her resolve.

She must have tried at least a dozen times. And then something happened that surprised me.....she started to laugh!  It was a belly laugh that came from deep inside and pretty soon we were both laughing until tears came to our eyes.  

Now, I raised a son--a strong-willed one at that--and the last thing he would be inclined to do in such a situation is laugh.  I was frankly stunned by Kenzie's reaction!  She wasn't defeated, embarrassed or frustrated.  She laughed!! It was a delightful and surprising reaction.  

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."  Prov 31:25 NLT

I learned alot about my sweet 16-year-old niece that day. I had seen her as a little girl, but now had a glimpse of the incredible level-headed woman she was becoming.  What a joy to laugh in the face of adversity!  And, as one might imagine, it wasn't long before she got the hang of the stickshift and was feeling confident. 

Kenzie learned to drive a stickshift that day, but I think I learned a thing or two myself!  :-)