Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Through the Eyes of Faith

Home
General Christian
Relationships and Religion
Sloth Driven Bulldozer

Sloth Driven Bulldozer

Last updated on: January 25, 2024 at 9:30 am by Faith E. Richardson

Sloth Driven Bulldozer 2024-01-14T17:48:48-07:00 Faith E. Richardson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Sloth Driving a bulldozer

The Sloth Driven Bulldozer. Art by David Burk. www.DBurkArt.com

Frustration visits often. I have come to understand the feeling of his presence before I actually recognize that he’s arrived.

I often find myself behind a D6 bulldozer traveling only 20 MPH when the speed limit sign we’ve passed several times now says, “No limits.” There is quite a line behind us and that is when Frustration runs alongside my car and asks if he can join me.

Frustration Rides Shotgun

I’m reluctant at first because I don’t want him as my companion right now. Contemplative Practice says it’s not a good idea. But the longer I’m behind this sloth-driven bulldozer and the more “speed – no limit” signs we pass the more accepting I am of Frustration. So, I allow him to ride shotgun.

Now by my side, it becomes apparent that he has his own agenda. His desire is for me to pass the bulldozer. I pull forward looking for a passing lane. I fall back thinking the driver will see and move to the side. No matter my tactic, I see this is the pace set and the bulldozer ain’t gonna to go any faster nor is she gonna pull over to let us pass.

Miles, hours, days, weeks, months later we are still traveling at 20 MPH. Yes, we are still behind the sloth-driven bulldozer with no way of passing or talking the driver into picking up the pace. Believe me, I’ve tried. Since I am the one traveling so close behind the bulldozer, we’ve had conversations. I get responses like, “It’s not the way I operate,” and “I’m carrying a heavy load.”

I have used my cell phone to call the 1-800-How’s-My-Driving number on the back of the truck multiple times, but here we are still travel at such a snail’s pace.

What’s Our Goal, Again?

Because we are traveling so slowly, I lose sight of the end goal that was so clearly displayed when this journey began. I’m worried now that I may never arrive at my destination. I switch seats with Frustration and silence Contemplative Practice because let’s be real, Practical Thinking got out of the car several miles back.

With Frustration’s excellent driving skills, I climb out of the passenger window and hang on tight while Frustration gets closer to the bulldozer. The closer he gets the more confidence I get so I swing my legs out and grab hold of the bulldozer. With everything in me, I hurl my weight in the direction of the truck and pray I will survive. I climb aboard and request a seat next to the driver. Not at all shocked, she allowed me to climb aboard and we chat for a while.

I’ve done this multiple times throughout this journey hoping to catch a glimpse into the mind of this driver to discover something Frustration has never let me see, but so far I have come up empty and I know now that I was wrong by silencing Contemplative Practice.

Frustration is Not My Friend

I climb back into my car and am reminded that Frustration is not my friend. I realize that when I am apart from him, I can think more clearly. I kicked him to the curb, and I asked for Contemplative Practice’s advice and apologized to her for the rebuke earlier. She is so forgiving and together we decide to turn around to find Practical Thinking.

Sitting curbside several miles back we pull onto the side of the road and invite her to continue this journey with us. Feelings, Actions, and Practical Thinking all converse in the back seat. Contemplative Practice rides shotgun and Self Confidence finally sits up from her long nap in the cargo hold.

We get along so well when we don’t allow Frustration to penetrate our thoughts. We wave and laugh as we pass him at the next curve in the road.

I look back in my rearview mirror and see that another poor soul has offered him a ride.

Evangelical

Women in Religion

Metaphorically Speaking

About Faith E. Richardson

Faith E. Richardson was born in Traverse City, Michigan. She lived there nine short years before moving with her mom to Fort Worth, Texas where she would remain for another eighteen years. After meeting Trent, the love of her life, they married and moved to Colorado where they raised their two children. Currently retired from decades of human resource work, Faith renewed her passion for writing. Her life experiences and dramatic flair for storytelling draw the reader in with thought-provoking material on the wonder and truth of spiritual encounters. It's her desire to get her readers as excited about the Holy Spirit as she is. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

January 18, 2024

Overcoming Fear's Grip

Next Post

February 10, 2024 You Get To Choose Who Sits At Your Table

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Emotions Encouragement Forgiveness God's Love Invitation Kindness Matters Metaphorically Speaking Open Minded Prayer Tips Trust Uncategorized

Select a Month December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz