Chauffeur for a Day
January 2026
Several years ago, a kind friend lent me his personal assistant/driver as a gift for the day. My phone rang at 7:43 in the morning. Sarah and the car would arrive in two minutes. By the time I walked outside, there was Sarah (she and I had become friends over the years) smiling, a decaf latte in her hand and holding the back door open. I gratefully accepted the coffee and sat in the back where the morning newspaper lay neatly folded. I asked Sarah how she knew I liked decaf and she said that she had noticed that it was my preference at morning meetings.
The car and driver was a unique experience of pampering. I was dropped off and picked up throughout the day. I never had to park. I was never late to a meeting. When I would hop out of the car, I was asked if there were any errands I needed to have run. I finally said, “There’s a bank deposit I need to make.” When I returned to the car an hour later, the deposit’s receipt was in an envelope by my seat. As I left a lunch meeting, it began to rain but Sarah was at the entrance to the restaurant with an umbrella in hand. At the end of the day, she offered to pick up a take-out meal for dinner for me and my family. And she told me that I was a very appreciative passenger!
As the day progressed, I found myself reflecting on this rare opportunity afforded to me. Maybe I would be more efficient if I had this help every day? During those 9 hours my feelings ranged from feeling lucky to out of place to illusions of exaggerated self-importance. I wondered if I would quickly become judgmental, haughty, or indifferent toward the world outside?
Any resource, asset, or gift can easily distract us from the realities of who we are and the needs of others. Often these assets elicit pride, our old nemesis. Pride, described by C.S. Lewis as the “great sin”, is often based on our vain attempts to judge our self worth by comparing ourselves with others. It is tempting to focus on other people’s use of money, position, or time and to neglect the more awkward self-examination of our own indulgences.
However, as our faith in God grows and deepens, all of life’s additional riches and resources fall into perspective. Paul is alluding to this in scripture:
“God's grace has been given to me. So here is what I say to every one of you. Don't think of yourself more highly than you should. Be reasonable when you think about yourself. Keep in mind the amount of faith God has given you.” Romans 12:3, 9 (NIRV)
So, regardless of how you go to work or play tomorrow, don’t let the circumstances define who you are. And more importantly, let God define you.
Blessings,
Tom