Tip of My Iceberg

Road trips are fun. Seeing the countryside from the highway, admiring the landscape, listening to a book on tape are all things I enjoy. Not my husband so much. He’d rather get on a plane and get to wherever he’s going.

He does all the driving.

As much as I enjoy road trips, I despise driving. I’m directionally challenged; even GPS confuses me. I can’t drive and talk at the same time. Focus is a good thing. I just happen to focus on whoever is riding with me.

I managed to avoid driving all summer. Being in Colorado, we were walking distance from campus, hiking was enjoyable, and if I did need to get somewhere, someone else was always going. I could hitch a ride easily.

In three months I managed to drive twice. To the grocery store.

Now that we’re back home, I need to get myself back and forth to work. Which isn’t horrible–I tend to take the scenic route with less traffic. A little longer, but the lack of congestion is more soothing to my entire demeanor.

Unless I’m going somewhere other than the office. Someplace new and different where I’ve never driven.

I can feel my jaw clenching even thinking about it.

I was doing a team assessment with a group that was meeting outside of the office. Close to fifty miles from where I live. A place I’ve not been to before. My GPS was supposed to be my best friend.

I left early to cover any lostness that could occur. I anticipated the sweet voice of my Google maps to tell me when and where to turn.

She wouldn’t speak to me.

I don’t have one of those fancy connector things that allow me to hang my phone on my dashboard. I’ve thought about it but have never actually gotten around to getting one. My silent friend sat in my lap as I glanced down to make sure I was going in the right direction. I had a few words for her even though she refused to talk to me.

None of which were kind.

I only got lost once. It was supposedly a beautiful drive toward the end of the route–I missed that completely because my head was bobbing up and down, checking directions.

When I arrived at my destination, I had the beginnings of a headache. I’d clenched my jaw and ground my teeth most of the drive.

How often do I miss the beauty around me because I’m so worried about the next part of the journey? Anticipating a possible problem becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy too much of the time. I miss the moment for fear of not being ready for what might be.

Walking with God puts a different perspective on my journey. I’m free to be present and attentive, not worrying about tomorrow, because when that day comes it will have enough problems of its own. He offers so much to enjoy and appreciate in the now. He brings quiet to my heart and mind.

He cares for my soul.

Now if I could only get my GPS lady to talk to me, I’d have it made.