6/29/2023

For me, getting  a carwash in one of those automated carwashes is a spiritual practice. As I slowly inch my car up to the tracks, watching the operator's hand gestures telling me to go right or  left until I hear the thunk that I have gotten my wheels in the right place, my stomach gets in knots. The operator returns my sheepish  smile with a grin and points for me to place my car in neutral. Now I am not in control.  Breathe.  I feel my car moved along slowly creeping through the stations... wash... soap... rinse... wax. I see the multicolor lights and the sudsy bubbles and the slap of washer towels and rotating brushes. The whole time, I have to keep my foot off of the gas and brake. I know I am getting close when I hear the roar of the turbo dryers and I feel my car shake back and forth.  The whole process makes me think of baptism. Being washed. Being blown by the Spirit. Then the time comes for the operators to give me the thumbs up and put my car in drive to move out of the car wash and into the world. Again, like the Spirit sends us. 

Question: What places and spaces make you give up control and breathe? What are some of the ways you are invited to be cared for and sent?