Lost Directions, Found Patience
Listen To The Following Reading
Sam had an interview across town that morning. He left early, feeling proud of his preparation. Halfway there, his GPS froze, and his phone battery died. The streets all looked the same, and traffic only made things worse. The clock ticked past his appointment time as frustration built inside him.
Muttering to himself, he said,
“I’ve run into so many wrong turns today. I thought I had everything figured out, but now I’m completely lost. I can feel my patience wearing thin. I’ve been trying to make up for lost time, but the more I rush, the worse it gets.”
A few blocks away, an older man stood on the corner with a paper map, also looking lost. Sam pulled over to ask for help. The man smiled and said,
“I’ve been trying to get around this area all morning and can’t make sense of these roads. You know, sometimes you’ve got to slow down to find your way. Getting lost might just teach you more than getting there on time. You’ll laugh about this one day, son.”
Discussion Prompts
Explain what Sam was feeling during his stressful morning.
What did Sam mean when he said:
run into
figured out
wearing thin
make up for lost time
Explain what the older man was feeling as he talked with Sam.
What did the man mean when he said:
get around
make sense of
slow down
find your way
What do their words suggest about how patience and perspective can change the meaning of a frustrating moment?
