Skip to main content

The Generational Blessing of Back Seat Drivers






A generational blessing in our family is one of back seat drivers.  What a great place to learn how to pray!

My daughter told me a cute story about a back-seat driver, her daughter Susanna, who is four.  After picking up Sookie from preschool and buckling in her back car seat, Carrie tried several times to start the car.  Noticing her daughter observing her, Carrie remained peaceful and turned to Sookie in the back seat.  “Do you want to join hands with me and pray?”  The two prayed, but the car still did not start.  Then Sookie said “Mommy, it’s in the wheel.”  Her mom questioned her again.  “It’s in the wheel,” the little back-seat driver said.  Carrie turned the wheel and the car started immediately.  

Back up 33 years.  Carrie was two and sitting in the back seat of my car.  We just moved from Chicago to a small Arizona town and I was dealing with culture shock big time.  No Shopping mall and no modern anything.  We took a big pay cut and I just enrolled my oldest child in kindergarten at a new school.  No friends.  New church.  No car.  

One day my husband purchased a car for me on the way home from work.  The car was only a few years old and the price was too good to pass up but I had to learn how to shift the gears manually.   Before work one morning I got my first lesson with Tom sitting at my side and our toddler in the back seat.  I wanted to learn it in one morning and I was frustrated because the car kept dying out.  Then I heard Carrie say “You should ask Jesus to help you, Mommy!”  All the tension broke and my smile returned!

Oh, these back seat drivers that love the Lord.  They’re the best!

This story links to Hazel’s website, Tell Me A Story.



Tell Me a Story

Comments

  1. FloydApril 23, 2013 at 3:04 PM

    Those are the kind of back seat drivers you don't mind having around! Cute stories... Funny how I think God actually uses the little ones to be His voice sometimes...

    ReplyDelete
  2. SharonApril 23, 2013 at 4:12 PM

    What a precious story! I like backseat drivers that are helpful!! Out of the mouths of babes...

    And, aren't you glad that the Holy Spirit helps us *drive* our way through life?! His advice has helped keep me on the road, and out of the ditches, many a time!

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  3. http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/April 23, 2013 at 4:15 PM

    What a sweet blessing, the voices of kids saying it like it is!! One more time, no wonder Jesus loves the little children, :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. PeggyApril 23, 2013 at 5:13 PM

    Thanks for the fun post. We have a few back seat drivers in my family too. Child back seat drivers are sweet, adults not so much.

    ReplyDelete
  5. DeniseApril 23, 2013 at 6:52 PM

    Such a cute story.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Joyful in His PresenceApril 23, 2013 at 6:55 PM

    What a priceless story you've shared about back seat drivers, Mary! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousApril 23, 2013 at 11:36 PM

    Visiting from Hazel's Tell me a Story. Great story. Made me smile.
    God bless
    Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  8. DeeApril 24, 2013 at 6:27 PM

    Wonderful blessing to have such sweet back seat drivers....still smiling over you story. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. RCUBEsApril 26, 2013 at 6:25 AM

    It's awesome to hear about these stories from your precious "back seat drivers" which are both positive!!! Not like the annoying atmosphere back seat drivers often do. What faith they both have in Jesus! Have a great weekend sister Mary! Blessings and love to you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Susan Marlene April 28, 2013 at 6:57 AM

    This is story is so precious!! What a memoire! Our Lord using children to bless you!! Children can be so in tune to the stirrings of the Holy Spirit! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. a joyful noiseApril 28, 2013 at 10:08 PM

    A little child shall lead them. Thank you for your beautiful story shared at "Tell Me a Story."

    ReplyDelete
  12. Crown of BeautyMay 3, 2013 at 8:15 PM

    Oh Mary, I just loved reading this post. Children are such a God-sent in times like these. These stories need to be told and re-told. I am rejoicing in the way Carrie's life has unfolded. May God continue to be glorified in your family. Tell Carrie I am still praying for her.

    Love
    Lidia

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Veteran's Story

  I noticed Bill sitting in our local park where I walk.   He glanced my way just as I finished the last exercise walk song on my playlist.   He shouted and pointed to my car:   “Hey, is that your car with the Nam front license plate?   I stepped closer into the veranda where Bill sat on a picnic bench.   I noticed his Vietnam Vet cap and instantly I knew why I walked there that day.   The Marine Vet served during the 1960’s, the same time span as my husband.   Bill talked a lot about the war evoking my emotions from laughter to tears.   My South Vietnam front plate often prompts a conversation with a stranger and I’ve learned a deep respect for it over the years.   It is my way of listening to a veteran.   I enjoyed listening to Bill.   He made me laugh in spots but he made me cry as well.   Like when he talked about the sandwich lady.   “Do you ever eat at the sandwich shop in the gas station down the street...
26 comments
Read more

Lunch With the Girls on Gurley Street

While vacuuming a few days ago, I had a conversation with myself wondering if I should delete my blog. It was just a stray thought that came into my head while I was on a self pity trip. When life gets hard, I don’t always feel like rejoicing and with a blog dedicated to smiling in life, well it is just too much pressure! Then something wonderful happened. I am smiling again and can’t wait to write about it! Two precious sisters-in-Christ, amazing Arizona bloggers from the valley, drove up north and offered mega doses of encouragement. Today I would like to feature the wonderful afternoon I spent in Prescott with Debbie from Heart Choices and Kathleen from Sassy Granny. Debbie and I met last year at a blogger luncheon, so I knew this charming lady would have us laughing with her friendly ease. She is beautiful inside and out and oh, what a heart of love this gal has! It was such a blessing to meet Kathleen in person after following her blog this past year. I was su...
23 comments
Read more

A Memorial Day Reflection

  Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls.  Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts  run through my mind.  The journey of loss takes on various emotions.  The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness.  In a split second, I would forget he departed forever.  I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home.  My mind is realistic now.  He's not coming back.  There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars.  He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day!  And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...
21 comments
Read more