The long line of red brake lights told me it was going to take a while before I made it home. Nashville does a few things really well: live music, bachelorette parties, hot chicken, and traffic. I only have experience with 3 of the 4. I’ll let you guess which 3 those are.

I slowed down and moved into the center lane. I didn’t have anywhere to be and have recently come to the conclusion that sitting in traffic helps me practice patience. And kindness. And gentleness. And all the other fruit of the Spirit, except for joy. There is no joy to be found when it comes to traffic. 

As soon as I changed lanes a white Chevy Impala flew by me. Music rattled his car. I could feel the thump of the bass in my chest from three cars away. He slammed on his brakes and turned the music up louder.

Cars slowly moved and the lanes shifted like they do. I came to a stop next to a couple in a Ford pick up truck. It was a super duty truck. Super duty always makes me laugh. I’m 12 year-old. They had the windows down and their mouths weren’t moving.The man was driving, gnawing on his fingernails, while the woman sat with her feet on the dashboard. She had bright orange nails and was scrolling on her phone. We made eye contact and I smiled and she rolled her eyes.

A few moments later a man in a beat up pick-up truck cut me off. He gave me a look like I was the one who was wrong. I wasn’t. I was practicing patience. I have recently come to the conclusion that everyone on the road thinks they are the most important person. This man had places to be and people to see. Either that or he really had to use the bathroom. He had his phone out and seemed to be in a heated conversation. There was pointing and yelling. I slowed way down and put some distance between our cars and that’s when I noticed his bumper stickers. Just above the damage was a sticker about how his child was in the National Honors Society. Next to it was another bumper sticker that said, “Hang up and drive!” 

Traffic came to another stop and I looked to my left to see the most beautiful lady I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I instantly fell in love. Her tongue was sticking out as drool ran down her furry face. Her ears were fluffy and floppy the way ears were meant to be. Her pink collar was fastened around her neck as she sniffed the air. We were in traffic, but she was in heaven. There is nothing better than seeing a happy dog with its head out the window.  

The cars continued to slowly move and I got paired up next to a man smoking a cigarette. He took a long draw before flicking his half smoked cigarette to the ground. I’m not sure why he didn’t just suck the whole thing down. We weren’t going anywhere. Was he being wasteful or healthy? Maybe he was doing what I do when I feel self conscious about my figure. I take off the bottom bun of a fried chicken sandwich because I am “being healthy.” We made eye contact and he gave me a look that I think would be filed under “rude” and “unnecessary.” 

Then there was a nose picker.

Then there was a screaming child.

Then there was a bumper sticker that said, “tell your dog I said hi!” and I smiled.

Then there was a car on the side of the road with a flat tire. 

Then there was another nose picker. Allergies are bad this time of year.

Every other car there seemed to be a driver on their phone.

Then there was a man who kept shifting lanes over and over again. He was in a hurry and was getting nowhere fast. Every lane he moved into was the wrong choice. I saw him throw up his hands and shake his head fervently. I don’t think he was praying.

Right before my exit traffic stopped me next to a red Honda Civic. The bearded man was conducting the classical music coming through the speakers. He was the maestro of traffic. The music was beautiful. Maybe it was Beethoven or Bach or Tchaikovsky. He had a baton and was swinging it with such grace and passion. It was beautiful.

I was wrong.

There is joy to be found while in traffic.

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.