Moving Musings 2014 - Driving in a whole new way

Once again, we looked at our check-in schedule and realized that we would be taking our Army Driving Test within 24 hours of arriving in Germany. Why the class, you ask? There are definite rules for the road when driving here, and it's a real benefit to understand what's expected for you on the road.

We got the study manual online, and downloaded to our tablets. We took the online practice tests, sometimes sitting together, reading the rules and looking at pictures to figure out what was required of us in different situations.

In short, we had to think about driving in a whole new way.

It's not just that you're negotiating the road in a new language, it's that people think differently about driving here. For the most part, when you are on the road in Germany, it is assumed that everyone knows the rules, and that you will follow them.

There are three concepts that are quite logical:
1 - right before left,
2 - wave and wait, and
3 - the zipper.

The "right before left rule" means that the driver on the right has the "right of way" unless there is a sign that says differently.  So when you come to an intersection and you're not sure who should go first, it's the car furthest to the right that gets to go first - I guess that's why it's called "right of way".

If you're unsure you can safely make your move, you can relinquish your right by waving the next person to go, and then waiting until it is your turn again... the "wave and wait."

And when merging two lanes of traffic into one, a person from each lane goes forward one after another... just like a zipper going up or down.

I have seen all of these things at work in my first week here, and the orderliness of it all makes it a little less stressful by knowing what to expect, from yourself or others.

I will also say that I love that there are a lot of signs  - over 300 - to help point people in the right direction. If you know the rules and what the signs are telling you to do, then you won't have any problems, as long as everyone is following the rules... or if you are prepared to keep everyone safe.

At the beginning of our class, the instructor opened with this quote. "Your first job as a driver is to look out for other people, assume they will make a mistake, and then compensate so that everyone is as safe as possible."

And I thought, "That sounds a lot like what a life of faith should look like."

It's quite easy to fall into the habit of placing ourselves at the front of the line... to assume that our appointments or needs are ideas or more important or correct than others. Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, reminding them that their call by God set them apart - in the ways they thought and acted.

"Don’t be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God’s will is—what is good and pleasing and mature. Because of the grace that God gave me, I can say to each one of you: don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought to think. Instead, be reasonable since God has measured out a portion of faith to each one of you." (Romans 12:2-3 Common English Bible)

The news today is filled with stories of war and strife from almost every corner of the world. We develop the habit of thinking in terms of "them versus us," rather than being in this thing called life together. Maybe we have to start thinking about life in a whole new way, get out of our comfort zones, and pay attention to the needs of others around us. Only then, will the world have the chance to become that which God created it to be - a haven for God's creation, and a small piece of heaven on earth.

Peace, Deb

“It seemed to me that the people who made the rules of the road had figured out everything that would help a person drive safely right down to having a sign that tells you you're passing through a place where deer cross. Somebody should stick up some signs on the highway of life.

* CAUTION: JERKS CROSSING.
* Blinking yellow lights when you're about to to something stupid.
* Stop signs in front of people who could hurt you.
* Green lights shining when you're doing the right thing. 

It would make the whole experience easier.”     
                                   ― Joan Bauer, Rules of the Road (2005)