After my father turned 80, he called me on the phone to say, “I just bought my last car….. a Honda Acura.” He added, “But I can still buy green bananas!” Before he turned 90, I drove home to tell him in person it was time to give up driving.

During my drive, I rehearsed the counterpoints to the resistance I anticipated. As a pastor I had made similar visits with other families — just not mine. As most of our conversations revolved around business and finance, I opted for: “You’ll spend a lot less on cab-fare than you spend on insurance and maintenance.”

The request to give up one’s freedom and independence is a tall order. “I just drive to the country club,” he opened, “and I’ve done that all your life.” I offered, “I know you can get there and back. I just worry about the kid on a bike or the car from a driveway. It’s the unexpected that I’m not sure you can react to. And if something happened….. you don’t want to live with that.”

I had never seen anything like it before, but in a flash, just like that, his expression turned from resistance to trust. I was overwhelmed by the trust in me he showed. He said, “Ok, if you think it’s the right thing to do, I’m ready.” His trust inspired my responsibility to never ever abuse it, and I’m at peace that I never did.

His solution was to give his car to a friend. He was guaranteed a lifetime of rides to see his friends — for four more years. 

When did you feel called upon to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15)? How do you handle the responsibility of someone trusting you? Who do you trust in your life?