Temper temper

Yesterday I was driving home from work. I was on a four lane road and was in the fast lane. I heard a siren and looked in the rear view mirror and saw an ambulance coming down the street in my lane. I quickly sped up a little and changed lanes into the right hand lane and began to slow down in order for the ambulance to pass me by. When I changed lanes the guy that I moved in front of immediately started tailgating me and acting like a jerk because I cut him off. He appeared to be in his twenties and probably had his radio blaring too loud to hear the ambulance. I signaled to him to look back in order that he would see the approaching ambulance. When I did he gave me a gesture that I assume was indicative of his IQ or possibly the number of legitimate parents that he had.

Regardless this made me pretty mad and I immediately started stopping my car right in the middle of the road. My intent was to clear up the exact reason for the gesture and while I was doing that quite possibly I would entertain taking him to the woodshed. When I came to a near stop he immediately tried to pass me. Just as he tried to pull around me, he looked for the first time in his rear view mirror and saw the ambulance. He wrenched the steering wheel hard to get back into his own lane and slammed on his brakes and avoided the ambulance. He had the most sheepish look on his face when he realized what an idiot he had been that it was almost laughable. He stopped in the road and waited until I started moving a little and kept his car well away from mine. My feathers began to slowly unruffle and I calmed back down.

As I drove on home I thought about how stupid I had been to allow this guy to get under my skin and make such an immature decision as to stop my car and prepare to do battle in the middle of the street. I was going home early because I still have not fully recovered from the flu and was dead tired and weakened after my first day back in the office since my illness. I am also sixty years old and not in my twenties anymore. I had no idea how big and strong this kid was and for all I know he could have taken “me” to the woodshed. For that matter for all I know this kid could have had a gun and shot me in a fit of road rage. Even if I had been able to take him to the woodshed, how would it have looked for the CEO of a large company to be out on the street in my Armani suit fighting like an animal? What if I had been arrested for fighting?

Nonetheless with little or no thinking I made my decision. How often we make poor decisions without first considering the consequences of our actions. How many folks drink too much and then decide to drive on home saying: “To heck with a designated driver or taxicab, I can make it home fine”? Do you know anyone who in a fit of anger proceeded to lecture their boss, (wife, friend, pastor), and give them a piece of their mind and tell them in detail exactly how stupid a decision that they just made?

Well maybe you wouldn’t do anything that drastic, but most people make the mistake of acting rashly on occasion. When tempted to do so, you might remember the Proverbs listed below. I have a little sign right next to my phone and my computer, (where I send e-mail), that simply states: “THINK”. Perhaps I should put one on my rear view mirror too.Sigh

Proverbs 29:11 and 20;15:1
A fool vents all of his feelings
But a wise man holds them
back.

Do you see a man hasty in his
words?
There is more hope for a fool
than for him.

A soft answer turns away
wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up
anger.