A Loaded Weapon and a Bag of Chips: Rethinking How We Drive
Let me paint a picture for you.
Imagine walking into a room filled with your loved ones—your children, your spouse, your best friends. Now imagine you’re casually holding a loaded gun in one hand… and a bag of chips in the other.
Sounds unthinkable, right?
And yet, that’s exactly what many of us are doing every single day when we get behind the wheel of a car—texting, daydreaming, sipping coffee, eating a shrimp taco—all while operating a two-ton machine that could change someone’s life in an instant.
This week’s episode is a special one. It’s a conversation I’ve wanted to have for over two years.
I first met Jennifer Eikenhorst at the Spark Media Conference in 2023, and her story has stayed with me ever since. I’ve thought of her hundreds of times—no exaggeration—especially when I’m driving. Her words, her testimony, her heart for people… it planted a seed in me that’s only grown with time.
Jennifer is the author of Left Turn: Life Unimagined and host of the Accidental Hope podcast. She shares openly about the day her life changed forever—the day she caused a fatal accident. Her story is raw, honest, and incredibly sobering. And now, I finally got the chance to sit down with her and have the conversation I’ve been waiting for.
This episode isn’t about fear—it’s about awareness. It’s about the sacred responsibility we carry every time we get behind the wheel.
Jennifer said something that stopped me in my tracks: “Driving a car is like handling a loaded weapon.“ And yet we treat it like a casual everyday task, often distracted, sometimes even careless.
As believers, that can’t be our posture. We are called to love our neighbor, and that includes the people sharing the road with us.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The invisible dangers of “harmless” distractions like eating, texting, or mentally checking out while driving.
- What Jennifer experienced legally, emotionally, and spiritually after the accident.
- How we can teach our kids to approach driving not just as a milestone—but as a mission field, a place where we steward life and responsibility.
So let me gently ask you:
How are you driving these days?
What habits might need to change—for your sake and for the sake of others, especially your kids?
Do your kids need a wake-up call when they get behind the wheel? (If they do, this episode might be it.)
🎧 Listen now: Click on the image below to listen on Life Audio:
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This conversation will challenge you in all the right ways. I hope you’ll tune in and reflect. And if it moves you like it moved me, please share it with someone you love—especially your teens.
🔹 Memorable Quote from this episode:
Driving Safety: “We drive so casually. We drive cavalierly. We don’t think about the fact that we’re operating two and a half tons of metal that can become a weapon.” ~ Catherine Segars
Take the Next Step:
- Listen to the episode now. It will change the way you see what’s happening in your relationships.
- We all know someone who is struggling in their marriage and parenting. Share it with someone who needs to hear it.
- Hit reply and let me know your thoughts. How is this conversation impacting you? What questions do you have? I’d love to hear from you.
Let’s stay safe, Moms & Dads!
About the Guest: Jennifer Eikenhorst is a mother of four, teacher, and faith-driven speaker whose life was forever changed by a tragic accident. In the aftermath, she found purpose in sharing hope and healing with others facing accidental loss. As the author of Left Turn: Life Unimagined and host of the Accidental Hope podcast, Jen offers a compassionate space for those navigating grief and guilt. She also serves on the advisory council for the Hyacinth Fellowship, supporting those who have unintentionally caused harm. Her journey is a powerful testament to God’s grace, redemption, and the resilience of faith.
EPISODE RESOURCES:
Other Episodes in this Series:
#143 “The Shame We Bury: Finding God in Our Darkest Moments”
#142 “When Life Shatters: Finding God in Our Darkest Moments“
Jen’s Book: Left Turn: Life Unimagined
