I decided a few weeks ago that I would use my car time for more than just an opportunity for prayer and reflection. I decided to put the tape player to use and also get in a little meditation on scripture. So, I went to the local mall and visited the religious-bookstore-gift-and-T-shirt-shop and ordered a set of tapes of the Psalms. A couple of weeks later, they came in--all one hundred and fifty Psalms (obviously Protestant Psalms--other parts of Christendom number them differently) spread over four cassette tapes. I picked them up and when I got to the car, took off the shrink wrapping and inserted the first one into the radio/tape player. The reader had a nice baritone voice and I was enjoying my auditory trips through the ancient Hymnal of Israel. That lasted about a week, until one day when I went to change tapes and the car--or at least the tape player--refused to comply. No amount of cajoling, fiddling, or manipulating has worked, so I am left with three tapes containing Psalms 46-150; "Leo the Geo" took a cool 30% of the book, right off the top.

 I have a deep belief in the power of the Word of God to effect transformation, which is what led to this enterprise in the first place. Consequently, I'm waiting to see what this latest example of automotive quirkiness will bring in its wake. I don't think it's out of the question to expect that the power of God can be brought to bear on mechanical devices. We once had an old Aspen wagon that we used to claim Colossians 1:17 for: "...in [Christ] all things hold together." That seemed to work. My experience has been that God works within the framework of what is, so I don't expect "Leo" to suddenly turn into one of those cute little BMW convertable roadsters or a Miata. But I can envision some possibilities pertaining more to the "heart" of the matter (so to speak): Perhaps a change in automobile attitude...less quirkiness, more "responsiveness and ease of handling" because "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). Perhaps better traction: "The law of their God is in their hearts; their steps do not slip" (Psalm 37:31). Or maybe even a little more zip since, "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul..." (Psalm 19:7). Who knows, after all is said and done, I might even get my tape back, because, "...by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent" (Psalm 17:4). If not, I suppose sooner or later I'll call in a ministering servant with a little mechanical savy to liberate the Word. When I get it back, you're welcome to borrow it for your car.

 Until then, "Thy word have I hid in my car...."