Driving to work

// July 16th, 2007 // Uncategorized

As I left the house this morning, I saw my neighbor’s junker parked where their FedEx truck usually is, as they’ve basically turned our courtyard into their own personal car lot. So this got me all fired up. I had the CD player on and was fuming for awhile…and then remembered I was supposed to pray.I reluctantly turned off the CD and started praying. It was hard at first, but I got through it and even thought of a few people I don’t usually pray for. I also prayed for patience, because I knew getting upset over my neighbors was just another thing I should let fall by the wayside.

Usually when I’m done, I flip that radio right back on. But today I reached for it and stopped. Something about turning on the CD player felt wrong.

So I sat there…with no sound but the A/C and my tires on the road. It was pretty amazing to just sit and listen to the noises around me. The engine roaring as I passed someone or the sounds of other cars. It was very peaceful and a nice moment. I think God spoke to me at that moment with my hand on the knob as if to say, “So you asked for patience…”

And that’s what it was. Patience. For some reason, listening to a great CD makes road trips seem faster. But with complete silence…you are left with your own thoughts…and need patience to make it to the end of the trip.

God…I thank you.

8 Responses to “Driving to work”

  1. Tay says:
    July 16, 2007 at 7:41 pm

    I agree, it is amazing sometimes to just stop and listen, not only to the tiny sounds around you usually pay no attention to, but also to your own thoughts that you sometimes ignore. Great post. :)

  2. Scott says:
    July 16, 2007 at 7:54 pm

    Much is found in those still quiet times…since I travel out of town a lot I find that God speaks to me over gentle humming of the jet engine. It’s a great chance to process and really think things through and of course pray.

  3. Jina says:
    July 16, 2007 at 8:04 pm

    Nice idea, Mike. I wonder what it would look like if you took moments of quietness more often. I think it could help to leave you less restless.

  4. Mike Olbinski says:
    July 16, 2007 at 8:08 pm

    “…gentle humming of the jet engine…”

    That almost made me cry Scott :)

    Jina, you are right…that’s why I hate the heat, because when it was cooler out, I was actually taking the time to sit outside, close my eyes and just enjoy sitting and being. Lately, it’s much harder.

    Tay, thanks for the comments, I appreciate your help with the blog and your thoughts.

  5. Alex says:
    July 17, 2007 at 9:43 am

    Nice! I’m proud of your ability to resist the stereo.

    I haven’t been driving to work with the radio on for awhile now, and I think it has made my ears super sensitive to noise. If I have the radio/cd player on for too long my ears start hurting. Let me know if that happens to you or if I’m just really weird. =)

  6. Adrian says:
    July 17, 2007 at 9:58 am

    I just read something today in the book I’m reading about the author going through a similar moment in a road trip. Makes me wonder why I don’t pursue doing it more. Thanks for the inspiration.

  7. Mike Olbinski says:
    July 17, 2007 at 10:02 am

    Thanks guys…

    On the way home, I had the radio on…but maybe I’ll try the rest of the week to just drive without it…which will be hard, but maybe good for me.

    Adrian, what did that author go through?

  8. Adrian says:
    July 19, 2007 at 10:35 am

    As Donald Miller was listening to the sounds he was contemplating how life is ‘happening’ around him. Sounds vague, I know. Sometimes we lose awareness about all the small events around our lives.

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