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Winter driving is simply a \u201ctest-run\u201d to teach us how to get through the tough stuff in life!\u00a0 <\/i><\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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So I wrote a little summary on driving tips for my sweet daughter Grace to help her stay safe on nasty Michigan winter roads \u2013 and included the life applications to help her avoid \u201ccrashes\u201d in life as well:<\/div>\n

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o\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Go slow. Always drive SLOWER than what you think you need to<\/span>.<\/b><\/div>\n

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Life is speeding by \u2013 that is true.\u00a0 But if you insist on speeding with it, you will miss the VERY things that make life holy and precious \u2013 the essence of what it means to be alive.\u00a0 Take it slow.\u00a0 Breathe in the crispness of this winter air, hear the crunch of the snow beneath your boots, catch snowflakes in your mouth, bury your friends in snow drifts in our yard, savor the beauty of a world blanketed in white.\u00a0 THIS is our Father\u2019s world \u2013 and we get the gift of enjoying it.<\/div>\n

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o\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>When you feel you\u2019re losing control on the ice and you start to slide (and you WILL slide someday, baby)- don\u2019t slam on the brakes!\u00a0 Just tap them lightly, slow down, and hold steady.<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n

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Likewise, if you find yourself going off course in life, don\u2019t come to a halt! \u00a0\u00a0Forward motion is necessary to take you OUT of the problem. You will make mistakes.\u00a0 You will, at times, lose your way \u2013 but keep going forward and hold steady to that which you know is true.\u00a0 Don\u2019t ever find yourself on the side-lines just watching life go by, Grace.\u00a0 Get in the game and keep moving\u2026<\/div>\n

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o\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Always have your cell phone with you.\u00a0 If you do get into trouble, all you have to do is call for help.<\/span><\/b><\/div>\n

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Oh, Grace, when it comes to life, this is such a hard one for me!\u00a0 Just remember, we were NOT meant to do this life alone!\u00a0 Reach out to others when you get into trouble \u2013 and together, you can make it.<\/div>\n

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o\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Keep your eyes on your mirrors and know what others\u2019 are doing all around you.\u00a0 If they are starting to slip and slide, get out of their way \u2013 don\u2019t get caught in their wreckage!\u00a0 But if you see someone go in the ditch, by all means, stop and offer help!<\/span><\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

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Likewise in life, Grace, there will be those who are crashing and burning all around you – all the time.\u00a0 Learn from them.\u00a0 Help them.\u00a0 But keep your distance from those who try to bring you into their wreckage.\u00a0 Instead, love them unconditionally and offer help whenever you can.\u00a0 Always, always, always, help those in need.<\/div>\n

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o\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>You see that well-worn track in the road?\u00a0 Well, don\u2019t take it.\u00a0 It\u2019s deceptive \u2013 because it\u2019s actually very icy there.\u00a0 Keep your wheels just off center of that track because you\u2019ll get better traction where there\u2019s a little snow and not just ice. <\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n

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And likewise in life, do NOT take the trail most traveled!\u00a0 It, too, is slick and deceptive \u2013 alluring, but totally dangerous.\u00a0 It\u2019s that whole \u201cwide gate\u201d, \u201cnarrow gate\u201d thing\u2026\u00a0 the path that \u201ceverybody else\u201d is taking is the going to be the one that leads to destruction.\u00a0 Take the road less traveled, Grace, and it will make all the difference.<\/div>\n

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o\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Keep both hands on the wheel at all times.\u00a0 Because when that damn mouse appears, and oh, you better believe that he\u2019ll appear \u2013 you gotta be ready!\u00a0 You DO NOT want to lose control when the mouse appears!\u00a0 <\/span><\/b><\/div>\n

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None of us, not one, are exempt from troubles in this life.\u00a0 They will come \u2013 for sure, they will come.\u00a0 So having both hands on the wheel \u2013 which represents HE who directs our paths \u2013 will keep you ready for when those \u201cmice\u201d jump into your life so that you don\u2019t lose control and crash.\u00a0 When life gets hard \u2013 like when you have to change schools, or your friends hurt you, or you don\u2019t get to play the sport you love, or your mom gets a terminal illness \u2013 you MUST have both hands on the wheel, Grace.\u00a0 Hang on to Jesus with all that you have.<\/div>\n

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You can do this, Grace!\u00a0 Remember \u2013 there will ALWAYS be ice and mice – but YOU have what it takes to drive right through the storms:\u00a0 a Perfect Co-Pilot.<\/div>\n

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This week, two dastardly events descended on our family.\u00a0 First, our daughter spotted a MOUSE in my CAR \u2013 and it seems to have taken refuge under the passenger seat and we can\u2019t get it out.\u00a0 Now, every time I drive somewhere I\u2019m terrified that vermin will jump out at me.\u00a0 Secondly, a BLIZZARD hit […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,27,36],"tags":[60,77,81,92],"yoast_head":"\n