Don’t Let the Tricycle Horns of Life Scare You

By Jeff Becraft

I don’t know what kid the car manufacturer took the horn off his tricycle and stuck it in my car is, but I’m sure that kid has a bike bell on his handlebars as well.

It’s almost embarrassing when I blow my horn. It’s not like it’s going to get anybody’s attention. I had to blow my horn at somebody the other day and I’m sure they’re wondering, “Who’s riding that tricycle out here on the main road?”

One time, I was trying to say goodbye to a group after a retreat as I was pulling off the exit to head back to South Carolina. I am blowing my horn at their vehicles to wave goodbye… and not the first head turned in my direction.

The other night, I had gotten home late and I was really tired. It was dark outside and as I pulled in the driveway and put the car in park, I thought I saw some motion out my window. But I was really tired, and I thought, “Well, I might just be imagining that.” Next thing you know, the motion-activated spotlight on the corner of our house goes off. So I’m thinking, “Well, maybe I actually did see something.”

So I look more closely (and now the spotlight is on as well) and I see this big old possum (and I realize the formal word has an “o” at the front) just strolling by my car… right by my car… like he owned the place. And so I blew my horn – the tricycle horn. He didn’t even flinch. He didn’t blink an eye; he didn’t break stride. He didn’t even turn his head or wiggle his ears or anything.

And I just thought to myself, “You know, that is really a pitiful horn.”

But maybe the possum has got it right.  I’m sure he heard the tricycle horn (he might have even been waiting for the “cha-ching, cha-ching” from the bicycle bell). I thought that if I blew the horn, it would shake him up a little bit and he would move along out of my yard.

You know, he didn’t even flinch. He wasn’t deterred at all.

I wonder how many things in life we are afraid of because we have conjured up in our minds that that something (whatever it is) is much bigger than it really is… and so we react to that image or scenario or situation in our heads… and that causes us anxiety.

When really, in some situations, we should have more of the attitude of the possum. When we hear those thoughts playing in our minds and/or get confronted by that thing that supposedly is supposed to scare us, we can realize, “Man, that’s nothing but a tricycle horn.”

And we can continue on our way.

It’s a great day to have a great day!

Jeff Becraft is the Director of Our Place of Hope located in Columbia, South Carolina, where people find encouragement to regain meaning, purpose, and hope for their lives. Jeff has dedicated much of his life to helping shift the vision of people’s lives. If you would like Jeff to speak to your group or event, you can connect with him at  [email protected].