Backroads

Growing up my dad loved to ride.  It was not uncommon for us to load up for a Sunday drive with no destination in mind.  We didn't have any gaming devices, phones, DVD players, or the like.  We didn't even have air conditioning.  Windows were down and probably the Eagles were playing as we cruised down winding dirt country roads.  Not much was said.  My dad did love to play the game of "Who sings this song?" which of course my mother never knew the answer but that never stopped the game from being played. Our rides would seem like hours in the car but have no idea how long our rides really were.  So why were these trips so fun?  What was it about them?

As I look back 30 years, I think it was just the simple joy of freeing ourselves from everything around us.  My sister and I knew we would not end up in "town" at a store or at some lavish vacation spot. We knew we would always end up back at our home with nothing new. We knew that we would not have anything to do but gaze out our window as the world passed by.  We expected nothing.  A boring ride.  It was up to us to enjoy the ride.

How many times in life do we get caught up in the destination or the "happenings" along the way that we never get back to enjoy the ride? How many times do we miss out on the dreaming and relaxation of a journey because we are distracted?  How many times to we set an expectation for our journey that we are consumed with achievement?

I know I have been guilty of this very thing my entire life.  Consumed with what WILL be or COULD be that I miss out on what actually IS happening. I look back and think how I wish I had enjoyed this or that more.

Early in my nursing career, I worked in long term care facilities.  Watching the residents in the last years of their life can be a haunting reality check.  When we get to the end of our lives what will we have?  What will we remember the most?  What will we think of when our eyes first open and just before they close?

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  

                                                                                     Matthew 6:19-21                      

Over the last few years I have had to learn how to shift my gears.  Transitioning from working outside of the home to working at home with the kids and managing the household has taught me to enjoy the ride and those with me.  Enjoying the simple moments of hearing my girls giggle together or watching my son craft some extraordinary daredevil trick in the yard brings such joy to my heart.  A joy I missed for so many years. Simple things of life.

Not everyone has the opportunity to stay home nor have the desire to do so.  We are all called differently and to different places at different seasons in our lives by God. But regardless of what, where, or when one thing remains true for all of us, we MUST slow down and enjoy the ride. We have opportunities to invest in those around us, in our children, our spouses, our siblings, our communities.


Check out East Texas Moms Blog for more encouragement today!