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Unexpected joy at the DMV
Submitted by: Sean Heinritz
Milwaukee, WII am a recent graduate of the Diakonia program of the ELCA Lutheran Church, approved and awaiting call. I live in Bay View, a township of Milwaukee, WI. I am a 30 year old, poor bartender/minister who takes great pride and joy in the power of the Universe and the small moments that it gives to change my day, my feelings, and my attitude into something much more worthy of my self.
I don’t think any of us enjoy going to the Department of Motor Vehicles. In Wisconsin the budget cuts have taken so deep a root that they have affected even this area of service from the government.
This did not deter me or my attitude. I was going to the DMV, I was going to renew my license, and if I couldn’t I was determined to get the information I needed to get on the right path.
(I have recently begun to overhaul my debt and finances, my driver’s license and status were unknown to me before walking through the doors of the DMV.)
I waited in line for over an hour and while I did I imagined myself walking out of the DMV with a smile on my face. I began to feel good about my trip, I smiled at the others gathered around me as I saw their tired faces and their looks of exhaustion at the shared wait time.
As I ascended to the information booth I asked to renew my license. I was handed the forms I needed, asked to fill them out, and then asked to wait for a little longer. The attitude of the information clerk was quite surly when our conversation began but as I walked away I saw the hint of a smile on his face. While I stood with him, during our transaction, I wished calm to wash over him. Our human perception of the Department of Motor Vehicles may not be the best but I was determined to make his day just a little better, if only by my sheer presence.
The next few moments astounded me.
I was called to the first window before I could finish filling out the appropriate forms. I was asked to stand for my picture, immediately! After being asked to sit down and wait for a moment longer, even the DMV attendant was shocked when he saw my number come up at his window.
As I approached the attendant I smiled. “You lied to me,” I said jokingly, “You said I had to wait for quite some time.”
He laughed. “I’m not sure what is going on. Our system is first come, first served and you have blown right past all these people.”
During our conversation, I was informed that due to clerical errors and decisions I had made in the past regarding my driving record, I was prevented from obtaining a driver’s license. This did not deter my peace or shake my resolution to remain happy about this experience. With a nod of his head and the most genuine apology I have ever experienced, the DMV attendant informed me that I was able to re-test and schedule a road test to obtain a driver’s license and that he could issue me a state identification card for free for the time being.
After just a few more seconds of waiting, I was on my way out through the doors of the DMV, with a new id card, and an appointment for a written exam. Though I did not have exactly what I wanted I had accomplished my goal of feeling happy when I left the DMV. As an added benefit, the Universe had brought into being the tools necessary to put me on the right path, the path I want to now walk. It guided me, brought the right people into my life at the right moment, and possibly even affected the computer system to bring me to the head of the line.
As an approved and awaiting call minster of the Christian faith, The Secret is a philosophy, I find, they sync together quite nicely.
I walked out of that parking lot amazed at the power of The Secret and praising God for bringing it’s knowledge into my life. The two for me go hand in hand.
I am thankful for the lessons I have learned, I am grateful for the experience I have been given, I am loved and happy, and filled with unexpected joy!
With peace,
Sean Heinritz