I realized something over the last couple of weeks. I can trace many accidents in my life to being in a hurry. Two recent ones provide a good example.

A couple of weeks ago I was running late for bible study. My dad’s car was parked behind mine. He had offered for me to take his instead. But I already had my boots on a didn’t fee like taking them off. I knew there was enough room for me to maneuver out of the garage, around his car, and onto the road. So I hopped in the car and started backing out.

While watching my dad’s car in the rear view mirror, I didn’t realize until it was too late I had started turning the steering wheel too early. I almost corrected it in time, so the damage was not as bad as it could have been. But the front bumper of my car scraped against the side of the garage leaving some white paint all over it. If only I hadn’t been in a hurry, taken my boots off, grabbed my dad’s keys, my car wouldn’t have gotten scuffed up.

On Wednesday I had to make a last minute trip by plane out of Chicago. I left Berrien much later than I would have liked, and was worried I wasn’t going to make it to the airport in time for my flight. I rushed (as safely and legally as possible) to Chicago, parked my car, and saw that I had just enough time to make my flight.

I unplugged my GPS, put it in it’s case, and then slipped it in the center console of my car. Already in there were the GPS charger, my phone charger, my auxillary cord, and some CDs. I tried closing the lid, but it wouldn’t shut. Frustrated I tried again, no luck. I put my hand inside the console to move things quickly, and then with all the force I could muster slammed the lid down. It closed, I jumped out of my car, grabbed my bag and ran to the terminal.

I returned to Chicago last night (short trip), put my bag away, and plopped into the driver’s seat. I opened the center console, unzipped the GPS case, and noticed that the screen looked like it’d been shattered. Odd, I thought and turned it on, thinking it was crystals forming from the sub-freezing weather outside and not actually damaged.

When the screen lit up, the right side of the screen didn’t show anything. The touch function no longer worked. What in the world? I thought. How did I break this thing? I picked the case back up to see a giant dent it, apparently from a CD case. I somehow managed to apply so much force when closing the console that I managed to break the GPS. Because I was in a hurry.

I think hurrying is one of the bad manifestations of an independent minded person. I’m hoping after these two recent events I remember, it’s not worth it to hurry. I made my flight with plenty of time–the satisfaction of getting there a minute and a half earlier wasn’t worth what it will cost me to replace the GPS. The same is true for the damage to the car.

And hurrying can manifest itself in different areas of life as well:

Many, even in their seasons of devotion, fail of receiving the blessing of real communion with God. They are in too great haste. With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ’s loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work. These workers can never attain the highest success until they learn the secret of strength. They must give themselves time to think, to pray, to wait upon God for a renewal of physical, mental, and spiritual power. They need the uplifting influence of His Spirit. Receiving this, they will be quickened by fresh life. The wearied frame and tired brain will be refreshed, the burdened heart will be lightened. Education, p. 260

Moral of the story: slow down.