Once upon a time, there was a teenage driver. She was eager to master these newly acquired driving skills so that she could have more freedom. And independence. Because those things were important to her.
Day after day, she followed the rules, stayed within the lines, and was careful not to gun it as she noticed the red lights turn to glorious green. She heeded all of her mother’s (completely panicked) warnings to “SLOW DOWN!”. Her longing for the ability to drive around unhindered only grew with each practice run she had to make as she drove her father to work. She patiently endured every foot mash as her parents frantically stepped down in hopes that the brakes had magically transferred to the right side of the car.
And all of these things she would bear, while she continued to do what needed to be done correctly.
And then, the day finally arrived! All of the earnest practice and fervent desire paid off as that teenager earned her driver’s license.
She drove carefully, at first, appreciative of the gift her license provided her to drive around alone.
With each new month on the road though, her bravery grew. She tried new routes. Every errand run for a parent took a little longer than necessary. She offered to drive her friends everywhere, when her friends couldn’t drive themselves.
She became confident in her skills.
So, she began taking some risks to test out the limitations of this new ability. She rolled through a stop sign. Then she took a right turn on red.
Until…
The night she came home thirty minutes past curfew. Those minutes felt like hours. No, days! The Captain would be disappointed in her. She hated the shame disappointment would bring. So she drove faster to get down the street quicker.
She was almost there. Six more houses. Four more houses. Two…
And suddenly, trash cans appeared out of nowhere; metal trash bins, to boot. She swerved, but too late. Those barrels were wrecked up somethin’ awful. As was the car’s fender.
But her heart? Her confidence in her ability?
They were wrecked up good.
She walked in the door and came nose to nose with the Face of Disappointment, Himself.
Only, it was concern in his voice. Not disappointment.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes sir.”
“Did you hurt the trash cans?”
“Yes sir.”
“But you’re alright.”
“Yes, dad.”
“Then I think you’ve learned your lesson.”
Grace.
Even then.
I didn’t realize it then, but I do now. And I didn’t see, then, how desperately I was seeking to get my “good enough” outside of God’s approval of me.
In “A Confident Heart”, by Renee Swope, she speaks to this.
“Trying to get our “good enough” outside of God’s promises and provision will always create insecurity and obstruct our relationship with Him and with other people.”
Oh, what truth.
I didn’t see it then.
I do now.
And, much like the trash cans that I watch for closely, even to this day, I am on the lookout for God’ approval. I feel like, lately, I have hit a few proverbial trash cans. It’s been good for my heart. It reminds me that I’m not paying attention to the Love I already have.
He loves me whether I’m wrecked up good or only a little.
Oh, yes indeedy.
And I am so grateful.
How’s your heart? Do you need to be reminded that His Grace makes you good enough already?
Today, I am linking up again with the community over at Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Online Bible Study. We meet together, daily, to discuss “A Confident Heart” by Renee Swope. Click the button below to see what other heart confidence is growing as we study together.
Missindeedy 
Thanks for this: “It reminds me that I’m not paying attention to the Love I already have.” Got me there, Misindeedy! I need to focus on God! Good reminder.
Thanks Jennifer! I need the reminding so often, too.
I DEFINITELY identified with this post. I constantly looked to please my parents and others as a “younger” woman. Oh what freedom comes when I stop looking for perfection in pleasing others and look to loving God instead. Thanks for sharing Missy!
Becca, that pleasing of others, it becomes a stumbling block to the many graces just waiting for us, doesn’t it? Thank YOU for the encouragement.
This is great.
Thank you Sarah.
Gosh, I love the way you write. Wow! And yes. I need reminding all day long. Loved this part of your story… “I didn’t see it then. I do now.” So great, and such a wonderful truth about grace. I’m grateful too. We are good enough, indeed.
Oh Tanya, what wonderful truths He tells us when we trust Him. I need the reminding too – and I get it often from your own writings, friend.
Love this Missy! Such a simple yet powerful way to demontrate our “wrecked up” and grace given lives.
Thank you Katrina! I’m always encouraged by you, too, friend.
Beautiful post! I was so affected by Renee’s words this week of being “wrecked up” but loved with abandon! Then I read your post and more insight was revealed about the meaning of “wrecked up”. Thank you for this today! Blessings, Mary!
Mary,, thank you so much! I was deeply touched by those two words, too.
That was so good, Missy! Your writing and story telling is amazing! I love how you took the “Wrecked Up Good” and turned it into your story and then brought it home for all of us.
Diane, thank you for the encouragement! Grace is a story I have much to tell of.
Wow, just your writings and analogies, hit close to heart and give me a ray of strength. Thanks Missy.
That made my day! Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for sharing this, Missy. What a blessing to have a father who showed you grace when you expected punishment!
God Bless,
Nancy S. (OBS Small Group Leader)
Nancy, thank you for reading. We learn grace, don’t we?
Beautifully written!! And wonderful to have a father on earth to be an example of grace!!
Thank you Jane. I count my blessings there, for sure!
This is so beautiful! What a precious story of grace, and the Father’s love and concern over us. Beautiful writing, friend.
Thank you sweet friend.
Wow. This was good and totally spoke to me, because I can relate. I went head on with tree once upon a time ago.
Oh NO! When we meet for cupcakes, you’ll have to share that one with me.
Oh lady… straight to the heart…
I’ve hit ‘trash cans’ a few times in my life & get so worried about the reaction I’m going to get when I see my Father’s face… those hands on the hips? The disappointed look?… thanks for reminder that He’s going to ask me if I’m alright…
…tears…
You remind ME so often of His mercy and grace and joy. Thank you my friend.