Most of the serious conversations I've had with my children began in the car where there was no getting away from the question or topic for the uncomfortable party. (Julie, at 5, "What's a caesarean?" Nick, at 6, "Why do people do bad things when they know what they're doing is bad?" Robin, at any age as a mother, "We need to talk about ________." - you fill in the blank.)
The car's a great place to address delicate subjects because the face-forward position takes away the discomfort of any extended, intense eye contact. Facing forward in the car also de-emphasizes body language and facial expressions so we focus on the words expressed. Telephones are risky when emotions kick in because we can stay busy while talking, stop listening, get too quiet or hang up, all of which completely defeat real communication.
When's the last time we let God take us on a long drive and listened to what He told us? It's easier to check in with quick phone calls in which we do all the talking and can hang up when it's "His turn." God spares us His physical, intense gaze and He speaks in a still soft Voice (1 Kings 19:12) to keep from startling us. His Spirit stirs in us, communing and communicating (John 16:13). Today, we need to buckle up, quit playing with the radio and listen.
Father, please, speak to us today. Make this day one we can look back on and know we heard Your still, small Voice. Guide us to block out distractions to listen and respond.
In the Name of Jesus, the Word of God
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