The Ogre

Like most of you, on the day I turned sixteen I was at the license exam station taking my driving test. I was quite nervous because I had heard all the stories about the ogre who administered the test in Butler County. But he wasn’t so bad and I passed without harm.

The lady at the desk snapped my picture before giving me a chance to arrange my hair or smile. She printed my temporary license and handed it to me. I was a licensed driver! I walked away slowly, reading every word:

• REBECCA GAIL SELBY
• 7463 GERMANTOWN RD
• MIDDLETOWN OH 45042
• SEX F
• HT 4-11
• WT 95
• EYES BLU
• HAIR BRO
• RESTRICTIONS PA

I stopped. Restrictions? No way! I turned around and marched back to the lady at the desk. “What do the P and A after the word Restrictions mean?” I questioned.

She explained, “Because of your arm the examiner feels it would be best if you only drive a vehicle with power steering or a spinner knob. That’s what the P indicates. The A means automatic shift. He thinks you need that, too.”

I wasn’t happy. I could accept the P. Steering into tight spots without power steering was difficult with one arm. But the A…that one was not acceptable. My dad’s jeep was a stick shift and I knew I could drive it. My friend Donna had a stick shift and I drove it, too. No, this one was going to cramp me. My eyes searched the office for the ogre. There he was. I approached him and ever so sweetly but boldly asked, “If I can pass the driving test in a stick shift, will you remove this A from my license?”

He looked surprised. He thought for a moment and then replied, “Yes, young lady, I’m willing to consider that.”

I left the exam station and headed to Donna’s house to borrow her red Toyota. After a few practice runs around the block, I returned to the station to retake the test. The ogre almost smiled when he saw me coming. “That was fast!” he exclaimed. “Let’s see what you can do.”

I passed. The examiner removed the A. I decided he wasn’t such an ogre after all.

Everyone deals with restrictions in life. Some restrictions are P’s—justified and necessary for our own good or the good of others. Other restrictions are A’s—unjustified and imposed upon us by ogres. Here’s my advice: Graciously and respectfully accept the P’s, but fight with all you’ve got to get the A’s removed.

 

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. Galatians 5:1 (MSG)

Ninth Grade