Fog

Driving in the fog is never fun and at times can be an adventure.  A few days ago as I left for work early in the morning the fog was especially thick.  I’m sure you have heard the old expression, “the fog was so thick you could cut it with a knife”, well this was one of those occasions.  There were times when I could not see the front end of my hood as I was driving.

Foggy conditions present challenges to driving and as you know a person can get into trouble before they know it if they are not paying attention.  As matter of fact you can get into trouble in a thick, heavy fog even if you are paying attention.  The key seems to be to not drive faster than what you can see and don’t drive into what you can’t see.

Driving in the fog got me to thinking about the need to be aware of those things right in front of you.  On a normal day as you drive you tend to look down the road a bit and you try to be aware of what is coming up ahead so you can be ready for it before it happens.  Good drivers will look from side to side, front and back and they have a constant awareness of what is going on around them so decisions can be made faster and safer as changes occur.  But when you are driving in the fog all you have to look at is what is just in front of you.  Sometimes you have a few feet of vision and other times you might have a block or two, but for the most part you have to concentrate on those things that are just in front or beside you. 

In life sometimes we need to have a time for a “fog” type experience in other areas of our life besides driving the car.  Sometimes it is good for you and I to take a look at the life we have in an up close way.  Taking the time to look closely at the relationships you have in your life is important to making sure all the truly important aspects of your relationships are healthy and functioning in a proper way.  Too many times we are so distracted by those things around us that we fail to take care of the most important people in our lives.

One of the things I notice a lot these days are moms and dads driving around town with their children in the car with them and mom and/or dad are on the cell phone talking to someone other than their children.  If I could tell them just one thing it would be “get off the phone”. Have a “fog” type moment by paying attention to those things that are nearer and dearer to you. Those children in your car will only be with you for just a short time, get off the phone and talk to them.  First of all, you have them trapped.  Your children are in a moving, locked car and you have all the control.  You can talk to them about anything you want and there is nothing they can do about it.  This opportunity does not last forever, so take advantage of it while it last.  Secondly, by staying off the phone and talking to your children you show them that they are important to you and you value spending time with them and you enjoy spending time with them as well.  Thirdly, by staying off the phone you will be paying attention to those things that are truly important and right in front of you.  It will be a “fog” moment that may just help you have a strong lasting relationship with your children for a lifetime.  Fourth, remember what goes around comes around.  There will be a time when your child is on the phone and they will ignore you and guess what… you won’t like it.

For that matter, cell phones may be the central cause of why so many families are having trouble staying connected these days.  Isn’t that ironic?  A device built to help us stay in contact is in part responsible for people being less connected than ever before in history.

I would encourage you to have “fog” type moments often.  Take a closer look at your faith and your relationship with God.  Spend time in solitude allowing the Holy Spirit to work on those things in your life that are truly important.  In life it is good to have a “big picture”, but it is also important to spend time looking closely at those things that are designed to last a lifetime.  Faith, Family, and Friendships.

Love God.  Go Love Others.