The Grey Volkswagen Story

Disclaimer: These are my experiences. Going through what I've been through has shifted my perspective and introduced me to a depth of faith that simply wasn't possible before. My faith informs my reality, and my reality is that almighty God, who created the universe and everything in it, knows me personally. He made me to fulfill a specific purpose within His creation, He loves me as His own child and like any good father, He is available to me any time I seek him out. 

I spend time with God every day and feel as though I've gotten to know him quite a bit better in the process. Being mindful of God's presence and providence in my life has been like turning on a light in a dimly lit room. I was slow to get here, but I'm here now and it's indescribably better than trying to see in the dark.

I read the Bible and pray as a part of my morning routine. My daily prayer is pretty simple. I ask that God's presence be felt in the lives of everyone I love.

Easy.

So I was talking to God on my drive to work the other day and I made my normal request. I then added to it. "...And everyone I don't love too." Then, for good measure, I added, "...and in my life. I would like to feel your presence in my life today."

I ended with "In Jesus name, Amen." As all good Christians know that's how you let God know you are serious. I then turned up the radio and went on with my day.

A few seconds later I was stopped at a red light and I was JAMMIN'!

I had a song on that I love to sing along to. I was singing at the top of my lungs and doing my best driver seat dancing.

I looked in the rearview mirror because that's what I do when I'm stopped at a traffic light. I look into the windows of the drivers around me and wonder about their day and what they might be up to.

The well-dressed, dark-skinned businessman behind me in a grey Volkswagen was be-bopping along to whatever song he had on his radio and the bearded tradesman in the work truck to my right was thumb dancing to something upbeat.

I immediately recognized this as God's presence.

The three of us were connected to God by the humanity of that moment. Music and dancing and the circumstances of having to get to work for the day and passing the time while stopped at a red light.

As the light turned green I thanked God for the revelation and continued on my way.

A bit later, I wanted to change lanes but the Volkswagon was where I wanted to be. I couldn't quite figure out if I should speed up to get ahead of him or slow down to file in behind him. I eventually turned on my blinker and accelerated.

The gentleman in the Volkswagon flashed his brights to let me know he was going to let me in. It was a very simple act of courtesy, but if you've spent any time in the southeast valley, you know it's pretty unusual. As I pulled ahead of him I waved to show my appreciation.

At the same time, an impatient 30-something in a BMW sped past both of us. I could be imagining it, but the BMW seemed to punctuate the interaction between me and the Volkswagon making it clear that our little happenstance connection was of God and that it was real and that it meant something.

After a few more minutes, the Volkswagon changed lanes and was going to pass me as I slowed to make my right hand turn onto Pecos.

I wondered if I should wave or if that would be weird. I wondered if he had any indication of how significant our brief connection was or that he was being used to illustrate God's presence in my life.

As I was pondering it, I looked over and he gave me a little wave and a nod. I waved back.

I asked God to show himself to me and he did. He showed me his presence in humanity in general and in the kindness of strangers and in the connections we are capable of forming with other humans in a very short time without a word being spoken.

It was an incredibly powerful moment for me.