So who made me a Judge?.... 3 November 2009

When we are driving, wherever we are, are we critical of other drivers?  I know at times I can be quite critical.  Like most of us I think I am a “good” driver.  I’m aware of what is going on around me and staying within the rules of the Highway Code.  At least I think I am.

When I am driving at an appropriate speed in traffic and in the correct lane where necessary I expect others to do the same.  I’m almost saying “follow my good example”, but there are always some that won’t.  You can be sure that someone doesn’t want to wait in line and uses the other lane, which is moving faster, and is sure someone will let him in, or he will force his way in, as he gets to the next island

or roundabout.  In the past, if it was me he wanted to let him in, he would have been unlucky.  I would certainly have tried to stop him joining in front of me!  It has earned me a few verbal insults and horn blowing, but that only told me I was right and I had won.  I was judge and jury and sentence was passed.

One morning I had to stop for the lights at the top of Bilton Road, I was first in line whenever they changed to green.  I had noticed a friend was driving the car behind me, so looking in my mirror I gave him a wave.  He returned my gesture and I then looked to the front once more.  I saw the lights change to green and off I went down Corporation Street.  Glancing in my mirror I saw that no other cars were following.  On reaching work I checked with my friend to find if what I suspected had happened. It had.  I had seen the Pedestrian Crossing lights, 30 yards away, change, and had gone over while our lights were still on red!  How fortunate no vehicles were coming across from Lawford Road at that time.

Some judge I am.  I now try to be more tolerant, and if I am critical I remind myself that I am not perfect either.  If someone is in the wrong lane he may simply have made a genuine mistake, or is late for something important and I can help by letting him in.  Seeing others making mistakes is also a reminder to me not to do the same.

If someone makes a mistake, not just on the road, but wherever they may be, let us help them put it right and not be so judgemental.  God looks after all of us when we make mistakes as you have seen above.  He did not make me a Judge and he is the Judge I will have to face in due course.  I have to hope the pass mark is not 100%, although I keep trying to improve.