2014: Who's in the driver's seat?

Peter calls to me from the back seat, "Mama, this isn't the right way home. Are we getting lost?" Or "Where are we going? Why are we going here?" He does this almost every day.

It kind of drives me nuts! I don't think I've ever actually gotten lost, at least not in the last 16 years. So not in his lifetime. I'm good with directions. I understand maps and I plan ahead to make sure I know how to efficiently get where I'm going. I do enjoy taking a different route once in a while, or just because of the series of errands we have to do we end up taking different roads than normal. Occasionally I miss a turn and we have to turn around, or a detour catches me off-guard in an area of town that I don't know very well.

But, lost? Not really!

So while it's an innocent question from his limited perspective and it's fairly humorous, it also insults me just a little when he asks me if I know how to get where we are going! I feel accused and mistrusted! I understand that from his vantage point he recognizes the familiar things on the roads that we typically drive. Perhaps he gets a little nervous when we go on unfamiliar roads. But he has no reason to doubt me! I'm his Mom! I only ever plan good things for him! I know where we're going! I have a plan!

One day in the van when I was felling more annoyed than humored about having to constantly reassure him that we're doing just fine and re-explain to him why we're going the way we're going, a little voice (Holy Spirit whisper maybe?) said, "Isn't this like you and God? Aren't you wondering if God has a plan, and knows the way? Aren't you sometimes wondering or worrying about the different route, the unknown roads, that God is bringing you down?"

Ouch. Oh me of little faith.

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Update: I wrote that portion of the post about 2 months ago - early November. That "plan" and "unknown roads" I was referring to was the unknown future that lies ahead for us in June. When Brad finishes seminary, we have no plan other than to take a call to a church. That in itself comes with many unknowns. Our only guarantee is that we have major change coming. Sometimes a scary thought. Since this reminder that God is my loving parent in the driver seat, and I'm the one in the booster seat in the back I've been washed over with a renewed peace in regards to our future.

And Peter doesn't ask as often if I know how to get where I'm going.

2014 will be a year of change, no doubt for all of us in some way. May the God of Peace comfort you, too, as you encounter the unknown and the new.

Cozy Woodsy Cabin

We were blessed with an overnight getaway (a month ago already!) to Brad's cousin's cabin, not far from where we live. It was fun to spend the night away together, away from the distractions at home and the chance to explain someplace new.

Friday night was rainy but we enjoyed the cozy cabin feel, woodsy view from the windows, and the wood-burning stove warmth. And also some lively games of Go Fish!

 Saturday morning was cool, but it wasn't raining so we got outside for awhile. The kids played in the "tree house" just outside the cabin.

 The trees' fall colors were definitely near the end of the season (this was early November), but it was still colorful and beautiful. We did a rainbow hunt and found something natural of every color of the rainbow. (Blue and purple were very hard this time of year, but the underside of some red leaves had a purplish hue, and we found a blue-tinted rock!)

 The river near the cabin. Look at those happy faces!

 Here in Michigan the kids go through almost two (cheap) pairs of rain boots a year! And we're thankful to have them when we need them, like this morning.

Something very very green, growing on a log. Looks like a miniature forest!

 The cozy, woodsy cabin.

Thank you, cousins, for sharing with us!

Things that go bump and the prayers of a child

Peter has been suffering from bad dreams for a quite few weeks now. Almost every night he wakes up screaming in terror or comes running into our room, terrified. It's very sad to see him so tormented. But is has been getting better recently, thankfully. He has started praying at his bedtime "Dear Lord, please keep the bad dreams out of me, and give me good angels."  It's touching to hear him adopt his own version of the prayers that we say with him in the middle of the night after a bad dream as his own. 

He also has been very excited about praying before our meals. He often says his prayers like this: "Dear God, thank you for our food. I really bless you for..." followed by whatever toy, friend or fun event he's thankful for and also for someone he's asking God to help, which lately is his recently injured uncle.

Cora also takes her turn praying. She starts with the memorized "God is Great" prayer and then follows it up with thanking God for her family and friends, and asking him to help the people in, (Where is the place with the really bad storm? she always asks), the Philippines.

Addie is cluing in to the prayer time, too. She folds her hands sometimes and mimics the sing-song tune of God is Great. It's very sweet. But most of the time she just wants her food-now!

May these family prayer times penetrate their spirits, so that Philippians 4:6-7 is a daily reality for them and they choose to turn to God in prayer in every situation: 

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.