Are We There Yet?

Last week my family and I headed to Missouri to visit my parents, sister, and various other extended family members. The drive took ten hours and three minutes—not that we were counting....This is our personal best time, so my husband and I were pretty happy with it. My children, on the other hand, did what all children on long journeys do…they asked questions. “Are we there yet?” “What time is it?” “How much longer?” “When can we watch another movie?” And of course there was also the, “I’m bored,” “I’m hungry,” and “I need to go to the bathroom NOW.”

The questions and continual badgering were about to drive me over the edge. I couldn’t understand why they had to ask every couple minutes. We just told you what time it is. We still have 7 hours to go. Why don’t you just go to sleep and we’ll take care of it?

But then I was reminded, isn’t that just how I sound to God? Lord, could you just show me what to do next? How much longer do I have to go through this? When will I be there? Like my children, I ask God over and over about certain things. I also give Him my, “I’m bored with the day to day. I’m discontent with where I am….” It may be said in varying degrees and various situations, but I know that I both question and badger God in a way that is similar to my children in the car.

Yet in all of my questions and frustrations, God remains. He doesn't treat me like my questions are worthless, and He doesn't go "over the edge" because of my constant stream of, "why? when? how long?" I am so thankful that my God has more patience than me...but I'm also reminded that in turn I am to be like Christ, therefore turning to Him in order to have more patience and then teaching my children by example. How will they know if they are not shown? This Jesus life is not one of only laws and rules but of relationship. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them" (Matthew 19:14). I want my example to be one that leads them to Him and does not turn them away.

Who knows? With a little help (and a lot of prayer), maybe I'll be a better example of Him on our next car trip, remembering how much like my children I really am.

The Voice

I'll be honest... writing a blog entry was the last thing on my mind today. Having just returned from a ten-day adventure in Colorado with my family, I was heading toward (I thought) only dinner, laundry and sleep! After a quick glance at the blog calendar, I quickly figured out that- Yikes!- yes, it truly is my turn to write. Today!

The funny thing is, I didn't feel an all-too-familiar sense of panic creeping in. I felt a deep, inner calm and I immediately knew what I would share today.

You see, ten short days ago, my family and I headed off into beautiful southwestern Colorado with a group of friends, nine motorcycles, and one van. A loose itinerary and a huge dependence on God-- that He would keep us safe and show us the way.

What I did not expect was just how awesomely He would reveal Himself to us through His majestic creations.. through Nature itself. From our drive into Amarillo, Texas on the first stormy night of the trip where we saw dramatic lightning strikes across the landscape as far as our eyes could see... to playful chipmunks playing near waterfalls who would come eat directly from our hands... to our unforgettable visit to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, where we could have watched the light play for hours across the striped canvas of the Painted Wall. Through all of these things and many more... we felt God there with us.

We were reminded just how small we are in the grand scheme of things, and yet how very much we matter to God, as He took care of us in even the smallest of details. We watched almost zero television, heard little radio, were generally "unplugged" from life as usual. And when all the noise of life fell away... we could hear His voice so clearly.

We've only been home a few hours, and yet already, life is coming at us fast & furiously. I am going to try my hardest this week to keep that calmness, that stillness with me. To keep hearing God's voice so clearly. To focus on Him so completely that all else dims in comparison.

I urge you to do the same. When things are becoming too much this week, take a moment to find a quiet corner, read your Bible, thank Him for all He continually is in your life.

I have been reminded so many times in these past days on the road, of Casting Crowns' beautiful song, "The Voice of Truth". Please click on the link, take a listen and not just to their song.... but to The Voice.

I pray that each of you reading would hear the Voice of Truth today. May God bless you.