I was cruising down the Interstate at a good clip, possibly above the posted speed limit, but I don't recall. What I do remember is how quickly the car appeared in my rear view.
At the first available opportunity, I signaled and changed lanes, allowing this speedster to pass. And he did, but only long enough to immediately jump in the right lane in front of me, causing me to suddenly hit the brakes to avoid slamming into him ... and every car behind me into each other like an accordion.
He paused for a moment, looked back at me in his rear-view mirror with a fleeting smirk, and then sped off, well above the speed limit, weaving in and out of traffic until I couldn't see him any more.
I did not know this person. I did not know his heart or his circumstance.
What I did know was that this was done on purpose and could have caused a terrible wreck.
I also know in the moment when he looked back at me with that smirk, he saw me display a vulgar hand gesture and mouth a not-suitable-for-publication sentiment to go along with it.
The next morning I told this story - and all the ways I got my response wrong in this situation - to the faith formation class I teach.
Yes, I teach faith formation ... what many of you would call Sunday school ... and yes, I told that class of 10th graders about the time I flipped off the jerk driver and called him a not-suitable-for-publication name.
Now, of course I realize my actions were not very Sunday school teacher-like. Where was the do-unto-others in that scenario? What sort of example am I for these impressionable youth in a church setting?
I am a bad example.
And that's what I want them to see.
I swear. I lose my temper. I lack patience. I can be unkind. I can be thoughtless. I am petty. I hold a grudge. I have made terrible decisions.
I am human. Flawed. Sinful.
And yet, I am forgiven.
I learn and continue to learn. I make mistakes and recognize those mistakes. It is by grace that I am granted another chance, another opportunity to get it right. I try to remind the kids of that and hope they rise to the challenges of their teens and not lose faith - in themselves, others or God - along the way.
In addition to hearing about what a terrible person I can sometimes be and how they should try to avoid my bad example themselves, we've also covered the great stories of the Bible. We've talked about the history and practice of our faith. We've talked about challenges of school and life. We snack a lot.
This is the first time I've taught faith formation, and I do it alongside one of my dear friends. For my part, I'm not sure that I've imparted any real wisdom or depth of understanding on a group of kids who are mostly present because their parents get them up early on Sunday morning and make them go - my own son included; he's a 10th grader in my class. I get that they'd probably rather be elsewhere ... like Slumber Services at St. Mary of the Mattress.
It's ok.
I think teaching Sunday school has been more about educating me. It's taught me to be patient with talkative teens; to not take their inattentiveness personally. It has reminded me to share, not preach. It's forced me to study up on why we do what we do in our church and be prepared to explain it to inquiring minds. It's shown me how smart, concerned, gracious and genuinely caring kids can be.
Teaching Sunday school has also inspired me to strive to be a better version of myself. Even if I can sometimes be a bad example, I most certainly have it in me to be a good example, too.
And point the way toward an even better one.
"... Jesus told them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.'" - Mark 2:17
Wishing you a blessed Holy week!
