ll that we always indulge in on long road trips. Figuratively, a Chinese fire drill is an act—especially, any large, ineffective, and chaotic exercise—by a group of individuals that accomplishes nothing. To the Hyder family, a Chinese fire drill is a gag performed by us when stopped at a traffic light, especially on a long road trip when we need a moment to stretch our legs. Before the light changes to green, everybody gets out, runs around the vehicle, and gets back inside (but not necessarily in his original seat).
The other day after a fire drill of my own I began to wonder where this term came from. Here is what I found out, the term is alleged to have originated in the early 1900s, when a ship manned by British officers and a Chinese crew practiced a fire drill in the engine room. The bucket brigade drew water from the starboard side, took it to the engine room, and threw it onto the fire. A separate crew hauled the accumulated water to the main deck and heaved the water over the port side. The drill went according to plan until the orders became confused in translation. The bucket brigade began to draw the water from the starboard side, run over to the port side and then throw the water overboard, bypassing the engine room completely.
For me however, a fire drill is more related to a way of living that occurred while traveling the world and growing up in Kenya. A “Stickney Fire Drill” was related to any event in which we were unprepared and therefore had to improvise in order to accomplish tasks. Many of these events occurred while traveling.
After packing and actually getting the suitcases shut.
There was the loading and dragging and lifting to get them to the airport. At the airport there was the loading and dragging and lifting to get them to check in.
At the Airport bags were overweight. We had to repack, reorganize and reclose all the suitcases in the middle of the airport.
Then the running like crazy in airports all over the world in order to make connecting flights.
So, you wo
uld think that after a lifetime of fire drills I would be well equipped to handle them. But looking into my daughters eyes yesterday at the post office convinced me that I am not as good as I thought. As she quietly watched me, with horror in her eyes, I proceeded to pack boxes and cram them closed on the floor of the Post Office. During all of this, every minute or so, I was peeling off layers of my clothes because I was so hot from packing boxes. By the time I was done the Post Office floor was covered in clothes, tape, boxes and misc. other items. I couldn't help laughing at my 10 year old daughter silently pretending like she did not know me. 
Despite all the effort I have put into trying to control my life and organize events so that “fire drills” do not happen, I really do not have the control to put all the fires out. This is where my dependence on God is always tested. I want so much to control and handle things myself, that I often neglect to let go and let God step in.
It seems that Christmas time in the United States has become a fire drill. We forget the true meaning of Christmas and run from one activity to the next, filling in any still moments with shopping and wrapping and stress. We really need to slow down and focus on Jesus.Anyway, I know this is kind of a rambling post. I just felt compelled to write out what and how the Lord has spoken to me over the last few weeks.
“Slow down, enjoy the moment and revel in God’s creation, do not be so quick to control because HE has ordained your days and knows the journey, slow down and let HIM lead you.”
