The Insidious Tyranny of GPS

Sometimes that little voice will lead you astray.

We were in Europe recently, trying to make our way from Amsterdam to Bremen. It was 2:00 in the morning, following a long flight from Washington. And our GPS was trying to drive us insane.

Bremen is where The Mom grew up (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth), so she knows a thing or two about the geography. And even as tired as we were, she knew the GPS, "Navi" was trying to lead us astray.

The quickest route used a ferry across the Weser river, and that's where Navi wanted to take us. Only problem: the ferry doesn't run at 2 am. So despite Navi's insistence, The Mom chose another route. More circuitous, but the best option for that time of night.

So at every intersection for the next half hour, Navi insisted that we turn around and go back. In fact, Navi was so insistent that after just 10 minutes, we started to doubt ourselves at every turn. We knew we were right, but hearing that little, insistent voice in our ears at every turn was confidence-shaking. 

Not that my confidence is ever very strong at 2 am.

But it made me wonder, how many other times have I listened to folks saying, "You're wrong." "You don't know what you're doing." "You're making the wrong choice."

Whether it has to do with care decisions for The Boy, job decisions for me, or family decisions that affect all four of us. I'm quick to second guess, and too-easily distracted from good decisions that have already been made.

Navi is a great tool. But sometimes we know better.

Through the Roof

A Blog Supported by the Mosaic ministry of Third Church, ECO

"Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on." (Mark 2:3-4)

About: This is a blog about accessibility, intimacy, and community. About being welcome.  It’s also about bringing up The Boy. He's 11 years old and has cerebral palsy. Also popping up are The TeenGirl, who just turned 13, and The Mom, who is awesome. It's written by The Dad. It's my words, my view. Other people will think differently and have different opinions. Good.