Back Seat Driver - Part 1

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.

My husband, Danny, is head chef at our house.  I'm the chief bottle-washer, pot and pan scrubber, stove and counter cleaner-upper.  It's a great arrangement which works perfectly for us.

Most of the time . . .

Several weeks ago, I announce to Danny that I'm craving egg salad and will be making some that very afternoon.  Now, I must admit, I haven't made it in years; in the days when I worked outside the home, it was a staple in my lunches.  But, I do recall the ingredients I put in it.

"Let's try adding baking soda to the egg water," Danny suggests.  "It's supposed to make the eggs peel much better."  He places three eggs in a pot, covers them with water, and places the pot on the stove to boil.

He sees me methodically chopping onion and celery at a snail's pace.  "Here, let me help," he says.  "I'm so used to doing this, I can do it quicker for you and save you some time."

I go to the refrigerator to fetch mayo and mustard.  "You're not going to use plain mustard in the salad, are you?"  Danny asks.  "Why don't we try this new Dijon I just bought instead?"

By now, some of you ladies who are queens of the kitchen are probably wondering why I haven't yet bopped Danny with my rolling pin or served up some choice, possibly indelicate, words.  Three reasons:  1) I'm crazy about this guy; 2) I'm well aware that he's a much more capable cook than I am, and 3) Danny really knows how to season food perfectly.  This egg salad is bound to be a winner!

When Danny tastes the final product, he declares, "Best egg salad you've ever made!"

I give him the "look."  "And, just who made it?"  I ask.

He smiles sheepishly, "Well, they were your ingredients.  I just added one or two things."

"One or two things?"

"All right, I admit it.  I'm a back seat driver when it comes to cooking.  Just can't sit on the sidelines and watch."

I give Danny a big hug.  "And, I, for one, am so glad you got into the game today.  Thanks for all your help."

He hugs me back.  "Next time, I promise, I'll let you do all this on your own."

I'll believe that when I see it . . . :)

~

When Danny stepped in to help me, his intentions were good and his actions were meant to encourage and instruct me kindly, not tear me down.  When you feel the urge to be a back seat driver, do you correct and help with great patience, or do you give instructions brusquely before thinking about how your words might make the person feel?  Please share in the comment section.

Prayer:  Father, there are times when all of us need to be corrected, rebuked and encouraged in order to get the job done right.  May those who offer us help do so with great patience and careful instructions, and, most of all, with kindness of heart and gentleness of spirit.  Amen.