“You are over the speed limit,” the friendly but slightly mechanical voice says.
I smile. She’s my friend, a companion who takes care of a little piece of driving worry. And, I like that because I hate driving, and I pretty much need all the help I can get.
The rest of my family has little affection for the built in GPS voice. When she reproves my husband with, “You are over the speed limit,” he talks back to her like she is a real person. He defends himself with a logical response. He explains the perfectly, ah-hem, “legitimate” reasons he might have been ever so slightly over the limit, or explains to her why in fact, she got that wrong.
After my son uses our car, she is silent. It usually takes us a while to realize the dashboard traffic controller is muted. My son knows how to get rid of her with one click. It takes us an hour to figure out how to get her back.
Most everyone dislikes the voice from the dashboard, except me. I like to know she is looking out for me. I miss her if she is silenced.
Most of the family prefer phone apps. Phone apps never say, “You are going over the speed limit.”
My family likes the kind that makes road decisions, avoids trafficked routes, chooses roads to follow, determines turns to make, and is open to reporting obstructions on the side of the road. My husband gets excited about those because he gets points for reporting them. We have no idea what the points are for, but he loves getting them.
I’ve counted four different voices advising from four different passenger’s phones in our car, at the same time. I wait for the day when the voices begin to argue with each other.
“See, I told him not to turn there.”
“He should have kept going.”
“I told you, he needs to stop and turn around.”
We’ve had actors and actresses, musicians and sports casters, international accents and foreign languages giving matched and unmatched directions.
When my family complains how annoying my friendly dashboard speed commentator is, I say, “Really?”
There’s a straight stretch of road just out of town on the way to our house. Virginia roads are usually curvy so this one is almost more temptation than most Virginians can handle. The speed limit is only forty-five on that in-between road. Often the lady on the dash speaks up, even to me, and I am definitely not a speedy driver. I’m that little old lady with a death grip on the wheel.
The friendly voice watched out for me today.
There are times in life when it feels like God isn’t paying attention or responding to how my life is going. Sometimes He seems silent, disconnected. I feel like I’m on the road alone. And at those times, I want to hear Him say, “this is what you should do.”
Aren’t we all ready listeners to outside voices that sometimes drown out the still small voice with which the Father often directs us?
When answers feel most distant and dim, God’s Word is essential. His Presence is vital. When we find ourselves at a crossroads and don’t know the right turn to take, we need to be in the place where we can hear His voice the clearest.Aren’t we all ready listeners to outside voices that sometimes drown out the still small voice with which the Father often directs us? Share on X
When Jesus prepared his disciples for His departure, He told them,
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7 ESV)
He never left them alone. Sometimes I think it would be nice to hear a voice, get an email, or text when I’m not sure what to do. But, God gave us a Book, and that takes care of pretty much everything.
When we are in that bewildered space of not knowing the next road to follow, we have His Word. It is solid, concrete truth. The Spirit expresses Himself through what is written for our benefit, our encouragement, and direction. It is there to comfort our hearts in sadness and trial.
He is the direction we need when we feel lost. He is the hope which gives us the way to go and the wisdom to get there.
Listening for His voice of direction, and waiting for Him to direct my next turn is where I need to be.
“You are over the speed limit,” comes again from the dashboard. I grip the wheel a bit tighter, slow down, and smile. She always gives me good advice.
Sue Kroeker
That was fun to read, Sylvia!!(especially after seeing you and taking the road trip home yesterday!). I love you so much and am so glad our paths cross from time to time❤️
Sylvia Schroeder
Sue, thanks! You are so brave to do those big trips! It was such a special occasion to share in, wasn’t it! Loved seeing and visiting with you again.
Tricia Caldbeck
Thank you for this wonderful insight, Sylvia!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks you Tricia. Always amazing to hear from you!
Laura Lee Leathers
Love this encouraging article.
Sylvia Schroeder
Laura, thank you so much!
Marcia Giesbrecht
We had a loaner car once with audio reminders. Our favorite prompt from it was “the door is ajar” . Which we would respond with “no it’s not, it’s a door ” or some other like response. 🙂
Good article, thoughts I can relate to.
Sylvia Schroeder
Why do we feel so compelled to talk to those things?! Thanks Marcia!
Nancy Ruegg
I must admit there’ve been times when the way forward hasn’t been as clear as I’d like, but any time for waiting and praying was over and a decision had to be made. I’ve moved forward in the direction that seemed best while telling God, “Please stop me and redirect if this isn’t what you’d have me to do!” Perhaps this is part of walking by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7)?
Sylvia Schroeder
Nancy, absolutely. Sometimes God has so much to teach us in the wait, and sometimes in moving forward. I am so very grateful He is in charge and in control.
Kim
Needed this!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you!
Lois S
Sometimes we long for the things God talked of in Isaiah 30:21.
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Lois! I love that verse!
Linda Brucato
Great reflection! I love my gps too! And so far I have NEVER gotten a ticket. 🥰
Sylvia Schroeder
Ha! Good for you and I hope that was not a never say never!! Love hearing from you!