Butt Wipes, Walkers, Bikes, and God
A few times I have been teased for owning a mini van (OK! maybe more than a few). I will admit its not as sleek as the red Mustang I once drove around. Nor is it as eye-catching as the shiny white Miatta I see cruising around here.
But there is a practicality to it that I just couldn't ignore and that is why I shamelessly bought one. Today, that practicality was played out in the most unexpected way.
It began with my morning devotional, which was about caring for the elderly among us. I knew God was nudging. So off I went to visit Aunt Mary (who is 103 years old), inspired by my morning devotional, with my 3 year old son. We whisked Aunt Mary away, put her big ol' walker in the back of my van, and the three of us set out on a Sunday drive. My gray Grand Caravan had no clue the story of the Good Samaritan was about to fill it's seats. The van drove us pass Aunt Mary's old church, some other local favorite spots, and then began driving aimlessly around Endicott. Aunt Mary was enjoying her Sunday drive from that passenger seat! Jared was in the back yelling, trying to get his Aunt Mary to hear him. It was a typical mini-van experience.
I stopped at a light and we were the fourth car in the line. I glanced at the street up ahead. There was a young man riding his bike when suddenly, he flipped over the bars, landed on his head and took an awful spill onto the sidewalk. The light was still red, but I gasped when I saw him go over. Jared was frightened by my gasp and I explained someone fell off his bike. Car after car passed this young man lying on the sidewalk, obviously in pain. The light turned green. The pick up, the first car in the line, drove by, then the Camry, then another van. But not my mini van! My van stopped and I immediately asked the young man who was now on his feet if he was OK. He was not. I pulled over, grabbed my wipes (like every good toddler mom keeps in her van!!!), and ran across the street. He was bleeding pretty bad where he hit his head, had practically lost a complete tooth, and was having trouble standing. He was about 17 I would guess.
And the next scene is why NO ONE should ever make fun of anyone driving a mini-van. I opened the side door and helped the young man get into the seat next to Jared. I then went back across the street, got his bike, and put that in the back of my van along with the walker. The van was now at max capacity, feeling quite proud of its self. I passed back napkins (that I store in the glove compartment in case of such emergencies) and Jared (my three year old), began lecturing the young man: "Ya know, that's what happens when you drive your bike too fast!" So much for mini-van hospitality. I explained to Jared that Jamal's chain had fallen off. My great aunt, now worried, was asking all sorts of questions I didn't know the answer to. Pure mini-van mayhem was not in motion once again.
We drove Jamal to his home several miles away, dropped him and his bike off, and advised his family to take him to the ER to get his head checked for a concussion. I pray Jamal is doing better tonight. The three of us continued to brunch.
So why tell this story? Because today reminded me of why I'm thankful I'm not overly concerned with image. If I were, I never would have bought that van. And without my van, I never would have had the chance to cart a youth group around, a bunch of moms on a day trip, a bunch of kids to the park and I certainly would have had trouble doing was God was nudging me to get out in the world and do today.
I pray that your life isn't dominated by illusions of what an image can bring you. Who cares what car you drive, how big your house is, or what label is on your clothes!! I'm not saying those things are bad, but trust me, image will fade. But the things you do for your community, your family, your church, and this world never will. My boring gray van reminds me I am here in this world to do something practical, not just live a life of flashy cars and expensive clothes. God calls ALL of us to do something amazing with our life. Not just to drive something amazing. My van brought 4 people a lot of happiness today. So go ahead and make fun of my mommy-mobile, but know this mamma is happy with what she has! I hope you are too.
Peace,
Pastor Annette
But there is a practicality to it that I just couldn't ignore and that is why I shamelessly bought one. Today, that practicality was played out in the most unexpected way.
It began with my morning devotional, which was about caring for the elderly among us. I knew God was nudging. So off I went to visit Aunt Mary (who is 103 years old), inspired by my morning devotional, with my 3 year old son. We whisked Aunt Mary away, put her big ol' walker in the back of my van, and the three of us set out on a Sunday drive. My gray Grand Caravan had no clue the story of the Good Samaritan was about to fill it's seats. The van drove us pass Aunt Mary's old church, some other local favorite spots, and then began driving aimlessly around Endicott. Aunt Mary was enjoying her Sunday drive from that passenger seat! Jared was in the back yelling, trying to get his Aunt Mary to hear him. It was a typical mini-van experience.
I stopped at a light and we were the fourth car in the line. I glanced at the street up ahead. There was a young man riding his bike when suddenly, he flipped over the bars, landed on his head and took an awful spill onto the sidewalk. The light was still red, but I gasped when I saw him go over. Jared was frightened by my gasp and I explained someone fell off his bike. Car after car passed this young man lying on the sidewalk, obviously in pain. The light turned green. The pick up, the first car in the line, drove by, then the Camry, then another van. But not my mini van! My van stopped and I immediately asked the young man who was now on his feet if he was OK. He was not. I pulled over, grabbed my wipes (like every good toddler mom keeps in her van!!!), and ran across the street. He was bleeding pretty bad where he hit his head, had practically lost a complete tooth, and was having trouble standing. He was about 17 I would guess.
And the next scene is why NO ONE should ever make fun of anyone driving a mini-van. I opened the side door and helped the young man get into the seat next to Jared. I then went back across the street, got his bike, and put that in the back of my van along with the walker. The van was now at max capacity, feeling quite proud of its self. I passed back napkins (that I store in the glove compartment in case of such emergencies) and Jared (my three year old), began lecturing the young man: "Ya know, that's what happens when you drive your bike too fast!" So much for mini-van hospitality. I explained to Jared that Jamal's chain had fallen off. My great aunt, now worried, was asking all sorts of questions I didn't know the answer to. Pure mini-van mayhem was not in motion once again.
We drove Jamal to his home several miles away, dropped him and his bike off, and advised his family to take him to the ER to get his head checked for a concussion. I pray Jamal is doing better tonight. The three of us continued to brunch.
So why tell this story? Because today reminded me of why I'm thankful I'm not overly concerned with image. If I were, I never would have bought that van. And without my van, I never would have had the chance to cart a youth group around, a bunch of moms on a day trip, a bunch of kids to the park and I certainly would have had trouble doing was God was nudging me to get out in the world and do today.
I pray that your life isn't dominated by illusions of what an image can bring you. Who cares what car you drive, how big your house is, or what label is on your clothes!! I'm not saying those things are bad, but trust me, image will fade. But the things you do for your community, your family, your church, and this world never will. My boring gray van reminds me I am here in this world to do something practical, not just live a life of flashy cars and expensive clothes. God calls ALL of us to do something amazing with our life. Not just to drive something amazing. My van brought 4 people a lot of happiness today. So go ahead and make fun of my mommy-mobile, but know this mamma is happy with what she has! I hope you are too.
Peace,
Pastor Annette
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