Krebs GPS

Picture a semi-senior couple with—well let’s just say—different driving perspectives.

The wife tends to leave later than her husband would like, depending on a heavy foot on the accelerator to make good time.  However, she is geographically challenged and easily disoriented, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.

The husband normally has a keen sense of direction and spatial perception.  However, recent surgery has rendered one eye practically useless for a time, so he’s unable to drive, or even read street signs.

Now add Map Quest to the mix.

Pour this couple into a 3-4 week trip through Washington and Oregon to visit friends they haven’t seen for over three decades.

This is a recipe for disas . . . I mean our version of a GPS—“God’s Positioning System.”

Through countless wrong turns, missed turns, and U-turns we’ve muttered and defended ourselves to each other.   I feel like I should add explanatory notes to our mileage record, since we’re traveling opposite of how the crow flies.  We’ve laughed, pouted, and apologized repeatedly as we make our way to each unfamiliar destination.    Occasionally the prayer will rise, “We know we’re supposed to be learning to work as a team, God, but this is ridiculous!”  Hmmm . . . was that a mild thunder roll?  “Are you laughing, Lord?”

We have learned some things during this travel training:

1 – Use “north, east, south or west” as highway directions—not just the names of cities.
2 – The terms “left” or “right” are not as good as actual directions, but pointing is not helpful.
3 – Repeat directions some distance in advance to avoid confusion.
4 – Trust that your spouse is giving the process his/her best efforts.
5 – Do not assume that the same words mean the same thing to two semi-senior people.
6 – “Ohhh . . .” can mean “missed turn,” “go back,” or “We’re on the totally wrong road!”
7 - Allow extra time for prayer and cool-down (not just for the car engine).

So if you’re traveling in one of these states at night, you might not want to follow too close.  We’ll be easy to spot—a red Camry with the dome light on, a white/sandy-haired man peering at directions, then pointing, and a woman waving her arms in frustration as she slams on the brakes.  If you’ve made an appointment with us, don’t be surprised if we whizz by our meeting place.  Hopefully, we’ll return in a few minutes.  And please pray for us, as this is surely training for travel in France.  We do need to work well as a team.

Did I hear thunder again?