Riding in Cars...

Yes, it was a Drew Barrymore movie. Yes I stole at least part of the movie's title. But hey, it got your attention didn't it?

Titling is the worst part of writing for me. I can never come up with very creative titles. I usually titled my school papers along the lines of "A Review of...." or so on, because it was easier than trying to come up with a creative way to sum up my thesis in ten words or less. I think if I was an artist, all my works would be called things like "Untitled 1," "Untitled 2," "Man with Dog" and so on... But you can't really do that as a writer - your title is your hook - the line that draws the reader in and compells them to see what you have to say. And I mostly suck at titles... oh well... will you bear with me anyway?

So, anyway, back to what I actually wanted to talk about... Riding in cars. I have decided that God speaks to me most clearly when I in a vehicle. No. Seriously. I can name pretty much all of the significant God moments in the last several years of my life, and probably 90% of them have occurred while sitting in a vehicle. There's something about sitting (particularly in the dark) without having to make eye contact if you don't want, that lets you really share your life and thoughts. It's way easier to be vulnerable in that place. (Although I have had some significant God moments when I was alone in a vehicle as well....)

I sat in a car until 3:30 this morning, catching up on life with a friend, sharing and ultimately praying together. And it was fabulous. Worth every second. Yes, I regretted it a tiny little bit when I dragged myself to work this morning after four and a half hours of sleep, but more in the "my brain is not fully functional for my job" way than in the "that was a waste of my time what was I thinking way." Because I don't regret it. Because God was there again - as we shared the stuff that had happened in our lives in the month or so since we had last been together.

I actually have a bit of a reputation with my friends for car chats. (although chat might be too facetious a word!) I've heard them tell other people that if they need to have a serious conversation, they should have one of my "famous" car chats with me. I don't know. Maybe it's just the "counsellor" nature in me! Someone affirmed this week that I would actually be good at this counselling thing as a career. It was so encouraging to hear someone say that. Especially since I know that God is calling me to serve him in this sort of manner.

Whew! riding in cars... if you ever want to come with me and have a "car chat" let me know... I'd love it - particularly if you drive... but if I drive, I'll take you to my favorite thinking spot - where we can watch the lights of the city sparkle, watch planes land at the airport, talk, and speculate about the slightly "fogged" windows in some of the other cars. I promise to leave if our windows start to fog!