Tip of My Iceberg

He was driving. I was in the passenger seat, trying with little success not to comment on his driving.

What increased the humor exponentially were the other five gals in the car, all of whom are certified back-seat drivers. All who had something significant to express about his skill behind the wheel.

We managed to confuse him so much, he missed the same turn twice. The first time he missed it, I’d given him the heads up that he needed to move left quickly. He ignored my wisdom. The gals behind me chorused with the same input.

He missed it a second time, which elicited a gale of laughter and observations bordering on complete disrespect for his driving competence.

My dear husband has a delightful sense of humor, and none of these remarks disturbed him. He played along, giving back the same grief we gave him. It did take us twice as long to get to where we were going, but it was a fun trip.

We did manage to find our way, even with the missed turns. We kept laughing through the whole trip, though John is far more gracious than we deserved.

I will admit to having practiced my back-seat driving skills since I’ve been married. I was the one who taught all six of my kids how to drive, and with that came a healthy dose of helping them become “my little helpers” to whomever else was driving.

Nobody appreciates those helpful comments. We may think that what we have to offer is so necessary and right that we can’t help ourselves. It also means we need to be discerning about what we share with others. If you share opinions and thoughts too freely, good advice may be overlooked, mistaken for intrusion.

When King Solomon died, his son, Rehoboam, took over his throne. The people of Israel asked him to lighten the tax load that had become increasingly heavy under Solomon. Needing wisdom, Rehoboam asked the advisors who’d served under his father for their thoughts. They encouraged him to do as the people asked, becoming more gracious in his approach to his people.

He chose another route.

“But he rejected the counsel of the elders and asked the young men he’d grown up with, who were now currying his favor, ‘What do you think? What should I say to these people who are saying, ‘Give us a break from your father’s harsh ways–lighten up on us.’?” 1 Kings 12:8-9

Rehoboam’s friends encouraged him to be harsh with his people, ignoring the wisdom of the elders. The people of Israel had had enough; they rebelled against the king and seceded from Rehoboam’s rule. They became the ten northern tribes, called Israel. Judah and Benjamin alone remained under Rehoboam. The kingdom divided.

Just as Rehoboam denied the advice given him by those wiser than he, so we can often ignore the wise advice from those who’ve had more experience than we have, resenting their interference in our lives.

John was wise not to listen to our “advice” on driving. He just needed a breath to figure it out.

There is Someone we should always listen to, however. Someone we know to be wise and understanding; God alone knows all things and sees the bigger picture that we can’t even begin to imagine. His thoughts aren’t mere suggestions; they’re the truth.

It makes me realize how careful I need to be with whose voice I listen to.