When I was a kid, I remember one of the things I loved the most about it getting warm outside was that meant Dad would run the car through the car wash. It sounds pretty silly to say that out loud, but there was something so soothing about sitting inside the car listening to the water and the whirring and being completely cocooned from the outside world while some magic machine does all the work of cleaning our car for us! Seriously, who wouldn't choose that over a hose and a bucket where I have to do all the work?!? Aaaanyway, yesterday Kyle and I had a little time to burn and now that we're real grown-ups, occasionally we wash our car. I was super excited to be able to relax in our car and enjoy the water and soap wash away my cares.
It started out the same as most car-washes: pre-wash, soap, rollers. Then suddenly the car starts being jostled back and forth. "What is that? The rollers are in the back and not even touching the car!" As I realized it was the wheel wash, I laughed at myself and started to relax a little, but then everything just stopped. "That's weird. Maybe I just can't see it moving." I said to myself. A little something inside me started to panic. "Did it break? We have a meeting to go to in 1/2 hour. Am I going to be stuck in here? I can't really get out because the water could turn back on any second." I decided to call Kyle who was standing outside of the car wash. No answer. "Well, I guess there's nothing to do but just sit here until something happens." After several minutes of sitting and waiting, my sweet husband came and told me there was a glitch and they were going to start the wash over.
I had to laugh at how God can teach me a lesson in just about any situation, if I'm willing to just listen. You see, there are several situations in my life right now where I feel like I've done everything I possibly can, but now I'm just sitting and waiting for someone else to make a decision or do something. I'm totally stuck. I don't like being stuck. I like having a plan and being in control. I like claiming Proverbs 16:3, "Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." However, sometimes I like to help the LORD in His work a little more than I like to commit my work to Him.
The car wash started up again a few minutes later. The car jostled back and forth, but this time I knew it was the wheel wash. The soap came and I found myself wondering, "Will it work this time?" A slight pause and then the water came and rinsed all the soap away. I didn't enjoy this car wash as much as I expected, but I left with a clear reminder that He really is the One who is in control of every detail in my life...car washes and all.
