Character Building

There is nothing like a road trip to reveal character issues and flaws. Reality TV has proven that once the initial front wears off, people are more than happy to be their true selves even in front of millions of viewers – they somehow forget that the world will be or is watching – and they let it all hang out. People can only fake it so long. You find that out within the first hour on a road trip.

It’s like when you meet someone and they are like your best friend, but them you say or do something that sets them off and the ninja suit comes out. With five kids, and in-laws that live in Tennessee and an annual road trip back there, I have had ample time to show my greatest character flaws and weaknesses while on the road. Road trips are great character revealers and they can also be great character builders. So can coaching youth sports. More than once I have told a losing team during a losing season that we are "building character".

I think it is significant that while road trips reveal the worst about us, they can also bring our the best. Check out what Jesus said to His disciples before He sent them on a pretty wild road trip...read Matthew 10:5-16. Tell me that wasn't going to be a proving ground of sorts, mixed in with a few surprises, and He would use it all for His glory and their good.