Wednesday, January 6, 2010

A Word For This Wednesday

This morning after I walked my kids to the bus stop, I stopped and chatted for a second with one of the moms in our neighborhood, who was parked on the hill, waiting for her boy to hop on the bus. While we were talking, her car cut off. Hmm. Immediately I peaked into her car and looked at the gas gauge. It was past empty. Oops. Now, she gets no judgement from me. More often than not, my gas tank is closer to empty than it is to full. Why do we do that? I had a teacher in college once tell me, "You know, Travis, it takes just as much effort and money to keep your gas tank staying close to empty as it does keeping it close to full." Yeah, yeah. Whatever.

She said that they just got a new battery and just had a tune up, and everything should be fine. Then she said, "But my car tells me that I have 15 miles left before it's empty!" I told her that sometimes our cars lie to us. We thought that maybe if she let the car roll down to the bottom of the hill, getting the car off of the slanted road, it might start. And then she could make it to the gas station just a stone's throw away from our neighborhood.

And that's what she did. And it worked.

And I thought about me. And you. So here's what I think God would say to us today: Make sure we are standing on solid ground. Level. Sure. True.

And let's make sure our tanks are filled before we go anywhere. Even the short destinations in life require it.

34 comments:

Cameron Magee said...

what a truth. THANK YOU!

Teena said...

Excellent...thank you!

Blessings,
Teena

Timothy Hill said...

Much like.

And I will add "just a stone's throw" to my list of corny colloquialisms. :)

dawn said...

make sure our tanks are full...yes. I am guilty of running on almost empty in all tanks...especially on the "short" trips. Good word.

michellemabell said...

Thanks!
It's a perfect visual as my jeep's gas light came on yesterday and I took the kids to school today and came home without filling it up...what am I waiting for?? LOL

Blessings,
michelle

Anonymous said...

I want to say that although I hate that the making of your Live CD was a time of warfare for you, how blessed I have been by it. God truly has his hand on you. And because of His hand & your time with our siesta mama, you brought the word to us today. Lol. Yes, our tanks should always be closer to full than empty. And there's only one way to stay this way. Have a great day.

Jill said...

nice. :)

Anonymous said...

Travis-

You have no idea how timely your thoughts just were. That's God, isn't it?! Love your blog and your music ministry.

Annette :)

4 J's said...

Needed that word today! Excellent. Thanks!

Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Very good word...simple, but very true.

Thanks for sharing!

Dori

Anonymous said...

I am getting gas this afternoon! Beth Moore said you were the one who told her it was a sofa table.

Unknown said...

Fantastic!

Blessings~
Sheryl

Heather in CA said...

Good word, Travis, thank you! Thank you for your year in review, too! You are a blessing!

Anonymous said...

Just reviewed your posts....great posts. Loved all the pictures.
Was on Beth's site and saw that you had to let her know what a "sofa" table was. Good going!!
New Year Blessings to all of your family.
Bible Bunny in NO MI

Anonymous said...

Oh my. Yes, running on empty. Not good. Every time I let my spiritual tank get below empty I get so mad at myself because my "FUEL" is always available! I must piggyback on an anonymous comment, I too am sorry your worship CD was difficult for you. Just know that I listened to it everyday for 3 weeks while I drove back and forth to the hospital to be with my (46 year old) husband. It really got me through WITH JOY! "Do it Lord, do it Lord, do it Lord we are prayin'!" And He did!
Karen in CA

Tracey said...

Wow. Now that's some truth we all need to be reminded of, thank you.

I'm glad BooMama sent me over here. I follow you on Twitter but I'm not sure I have been to your blog much. Seems kind of backwards, I know.

Unknown said...

Wow usually come here for fluff, but you nailed me today. Great message.

Www.writinghisstory.com said...

Truth my friend!

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

a great word....

Fran said...

I do better through the long roads. Its the short roads that seem to get me! Thanks for the truth!!

Hugs,
Fran

CAROL LIVIN FOR GOD said...

Thanks for the truth Travis I needed that this a.m. If I do not say my scriptures verses first hting in the a.m. before I get up or before I do anything it is so hard for me to concentrate on the truth that God has givin us. So I will try to fill up my tank with the truth before anything else.
Have a good day
carol

Melissa said...

Wise words Travis!

Automatic7 said...

Oh how I relate...well said!

purefire said...

Excellent observation! I'm thinking staying closer to full is a great goal for 2010.

Unknown said...

That's a word, Travis! That is a word!

Of course, so is sofa table. No wait, that's two words--but you did teach Beth something with those two words! hehehehe

Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca

The Keeter family said...

Travis, I needed that truth today. Thanks for your ministry and passion for serving our Lord so boldly. You and Beth have truly made a difference in my walk with HIM. Stay filled up!!
Blessings,
Denise

ocean mommy said...

SO good...

we can't pour out what hasn't been poured in....

Blessings!
stephanie

Lauren Delaine said...

Wow, that woman could've been me. She wasn't. Clearly. But she could've been.

So true.

Great lesson! (The gas, too. Not just the analogy. :D)

Nichols Family said...

I have an old avon necklace (yes, avon) from my parents when I was a kid. It has a charm on it like a genie's lamp. They gave it to me to remind me of the parable of the 10 virgins, and to never be caught without enough oil for my lamp. That was about 20 years ago and the necklace is pretty tarnished, but I still wear it sometimes because I am still learning the lesson. And yes, my gas tank is probably below 1/4 tank! Some of us are slow learners.

Marla said...

Good message!

Three Fold Cord said...

"You set me Free, my ransomed soul free"

Just wanted you to know that quite a few mornings this week that song has been in my heart. Thank you for the sacrifices you make so my family and I can be brought into worship of the Holy One!!

You guys are sucha great mixture of fun and devotion it is a pleasure to follow your blog.

Charlotte said...

Complete and Utter non sequitur

I just want to let you know that during a time of tribulation for me, before I leave for work (source of tribulation) everyday, I listen to "In Christ Alone" and sing with you. It is my theme song for this season.

Thanks!

prashant said...

I will add "just a stone's throw" to my list of corny colloquialisms. :)

Work from home India

Brian said...

When I needed a kids dentist. I knew that these guys were the ones to turn to. My neighbors all said that they were the ones that could give gentle care to my kids.