Living Sacrifice

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Spinning Tires and One Night to Remember

In case you didn’t know, I’m addicted to white chocolate.

Just wanted to start with something random. Today, I found out that it may not actually be my car that is so awful in the snow……but rather, it may be the driver, better referred to as MYSELF. So maybe I’m not so good at driving in the snow. And maybe I have this terrible fear of flying off the road into the ditch, or even worse, into another car. It seems weird, because I don’t feel like I experience fear all that much, at least not intense, extreme fear, but this is one thing I am sure is a ravaging beast of a fear for me. When I drive in the snow, I grip the steering wheel with dear life and don’t move a muscle as I squint and hunch over, staring straight ahead into the pending weather and other elements to come. Most of the time, I am on the verge of tears. I almost lost it today when the car in front of me STOPPED in the middle of climbing a hill.

Anyway, I’m really not sure what to do about it……I don’t think it’s healthy to be so afraid of driving on the road. I was graciously rescued today by my brothers, who came to pick me up and drive my car back to Oxford for me. I decided to park my car in a random driveway after making it about half way back from Hamilton this morning. I was so thankful for them, but I also felt a bit sheepish. Spen suggested that I go out and drive more in the snow. You know, practice up a bit. He’s probably right, but in my mind, I’d rather be home, snug in my house, sipping hot chocolate and being really happy I’m NOT out driving. But someday I’m going to have to get over this fear…………

On a lighter note, Over the Rhine so amazingly overwhelmed me tonight with their music, lyrics, and presence as some friends and I voyaged down to Cinci to see them at their annual Christmas show. Besides some of the slightly annoying, slightly intoxicated patrons in the seats in front and behind us, the concert was superb. I think that I, however, was intoxicated in a different sense, as it seems that OTR has a way of doing that to their audience. Something about their music and lyrics just seems to envelop listeners, drawing them into a deeper, more animated world. Kara described it well tonight as “depth.” Over the Rhine has depth for sure. I kind of hang on their every word, because it seems that they all have such meaning, like they’ve put their whole existence into their songs. I do wonder how much of what one experiences when listening to OTR is a result of their relationship with Christ and Him working through their music. That, and it seems with the “depth” Karen and Linford share, there is a sense of vulnerability and realness that I don’t experience with many other musicians.

Regardless, the concert was great, and I especially enjoyed the fullness of the band tonight, with instruments from violin to mandolin to electric guitar and more. All the musicians were outstanding. And, I can’t forget to mention……wonderful company tonight. We decided that this is going to need to be an annual occurrence. I’m in.