5 Fool Proof Tips to Survive a Road Trip

Girlfriend,
if you’re planning a
big road trip,
I’ve got 5
fool proof survival tips for you!

Mr. 4-Ever and I just got home
from a 3,900 mile road trip
to FL and GA.

We criss-crossed the south
speaking at multiple events.

It was awesome!
God showed up in women’s lives magnificently.
Women came to Jesus.
They laid down shame.
They forgave themselves for not being perfect.

Can you say hallelujah?

Now let me tell you
about the road trip.

I thought 3,900 miles in the car
would be a piece of cake.
We’re on the road a lot already.
We’re together 23.5/7 anyway,
(I go potty alone)
how much different could it be?

Ha!
Being in the same OFFICE space
is A LOT different
than being
IN. THE. CAR.
IN. THE. HOTEL.
TOGETHER.
EVERY. SINGLE. MOMENT.
on a trip.

I am happy to report we plan to stay married,
continue in full-time ministry together
and go on more road trips.

Here’s how we made it.

We
L. O. V. E. D.
each other.

“L”
is for Look and Listen.

Not for oncoming traffic,
but LOOK at the person speaking
and LISTEN to them with your eyes.

I used to be the worst kind of conversationalist.
I interrupted.
I rolled my eyes.
I finished his sentences.
I looked at my phone and uh-huh-ed
instead of LOOKing and LISTENing.

But not on this trip,
I practiced giving Mr. 4-Ever
my undivided attention.

I LOOKed at him
and I LISTENed to him,
and he felt
LOVED.

“O”
is for OFFER.

I offered to drive,
but apparently,
Mr. 4-Ever does not consider
my driving
to be a good offer. 

 

So, instead,
I offered to listen to his
audio book
radio station or
podcast selection.
In hotels,
I offered to rub his shoulders
first dibs for the shower
and the best pillow.

He, in turn,
OFFERed to play games
he does not enjoy,
go to the pool, not the beach,
and spend hours shopping for shoes
I didn’t need.

OFFERs in LOVE
make life
better,
easier, or
more enjoyable.

“V”
is for VALIDATE.

We made it 3,900 miles without a major skirmish
by VALIDATING each other.
Validate means to:
Confirm.
Approve.
To substantiate the value of someone.

For 3900 miles, we said things like,
“You are such a good driver.”
(I said that, not him.)
“You have the best ideas!”
(I said that, too.)

“I love the way to interact with people.”
“You are so good with my parents.”
“Your speaking was outstanding today.”

“You look amazing in that outfit.”
“How did you get so smart?”

For 3,900 miles,
we VALIDATED each other
and LOVE blossomed.

“E”
is for EMULATE.

Emulate means:
Imitate.
Match a person
or achievement.

You know where I’m going here,
don’t you?

For 3,900 miles, give or take a few,
Mr. 4-Ever and I did our best
Jesus imitation for each other.

So much TOGETHERNESS
has the potential to sour
so many ways,
doesn’t it?

When spaces are tight,
the days are long,
and best behavior is required
for everyone else,
the opportunity for sniping and sarcasm
is everywhere.

We (mostly) resisted the urge to be ugly
to each other.

Mr. 4-Ever valeted me to every door.
He hauled suitcases full of clothes I didn’t wear.
He smiled and encouraged and complimented me.

When you do your best
to love someone as Jesus loves them,
they often love you back the same way.

“D”
is for DETERMINED.

We knew all the triggers,
preferences,
and potential for near death experiences
that lurked on a long road trip.
We DETERMINED
to act lovingly toward each other.

For 3,900 miles,
we L.O.V.E.D.

I don’t know what potential
difficulty or disaster
waits for you today,
hoping you’ll combust or falter,
ruining your day or
your reputation or
your relationship.

What I do know is that
accepting and being
L.O.V.E.D. worked.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:12-17(NIV)