A Cake On The Back Seat
It happened on an interstate road trip with my wife of 6 months; after 21 years, it still rates as a defining moment in our marriage. An unhealthy mix of my skill in driving and an overdose of pride welled up behind the wheel as I followed a woman who, in my opinion, should never have been awarded a license! My irritation bubbled over into, at best, uncharitable speech, more accurately, ungodly slander. After enduring my insults and lack of grace, my young bride lay a hand on my knee and said, “Maybe she has a cake on the back seat.”
It doesn’t sound like much, does it? But it was enough to stop me in my tracks. Those few quietly spoken words carried a heavy Spirit-inspired conviction. She was right. I didn’t know anything about the circumstances of the driver in front of me. She may have been returning home from a difficult hospital visit. She may have just received devastating news. She may have been recovering from a debilitating illness. She may have been running an errand of mercy. She may have had a cake on the back seat.
That imaginary cake, sitting precariously on the rear seat as a woman cautiously navigated through the streets of Grafton, has become a euphemism of grace, one that has walked with us these past 21 years.
I’m grateful for the women of wisdom who have spoken into my life. The gentle hand and wise words of my wife, and before her, the faithful guidance and grace of my mother. I’m grateful for the surrogate mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends who were willing to gently remind me of grace when my foolishness was running unbridled. Dear sister, don’t underestimate your voice, especially when many others do. In speaking wisdom to us, reminding us of cakes being carried on back seats, you carry with you the spirit of Abigail as she rode out in 1 Samuel 25.
As David’s impatience risked boiling over into dangerous rage, it was Abigail who placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, bringing grace and wisdom with her words. Not only was Nabal rescued from his wrath, but David was saved from a foolish and rash action that could have had long reaching consequences. David needed an Abigail. I needed an Abigail. I needed to hear that there may be a cake on the back seat.
