We’ve just returned from what seems like an epic journey. It all began 13 days ago…
With the car loaded up, we left early in the morning on New year’s Day, headed for my parents’ home which is more than thirteen hours away. Within moments of merging into traffic on the interstate, around 4:00 in the morning, I heard the words, “Are we there yet?” from my daughter.
Seriously?
“No, Emily. We won’t be there until around supper time.” But within an hour, the same question sounded from the back seat. and again, my answer. “No, Emily. We won’t get to Nanny and Papa’s until around supper time.”
The second leg of our journey took us part way home, via Columbus, Ohio to visit some friends. Its a mere five hours from Grand Rapids, which seemed fairly short in comparison to the first part of our trip. And still, we had to answer the question – this time from two children, “Are we there yet?” My son learned quickly from his sister. great. We answered again and again – at 10 minute intervals.
Its hard to understand. Even when we reach the destination, there will still be another trip to take… until we’re home.
And so, we made the final drive home yesterday. But not without the infamous question. I don’t know how many times I said “We’ll be home in just a little bit.”
These short little conversations with my children have been resonating in my ears. They are similar to conversations I have with my Heavenly Father regularly.
“Really, do I have to learn this lesson again? I thought I had accomplished this already? Aren’t we there yet?” This is what I ask Him, when he sets me on a path- even though I thought I had arrived at my destination already… ” Surely I know how to be patient!” or “Didn’t you remind me to trust You just last week?” Really, I thought…
“Oh, my daughter! You have so much to learn. We’re just getting started, its a long way before we arrive home…”
And I ask Him again, because I’m sure I misunderstood. “Are we there yet? I’m tired of this lesson, its hard and I feel like I’ve accomplished this concept…”
But its only been ten minutes since I asked the last time and He assures me we still have a distance to go. In fact, we’re going to keep learning until we get home… “I’ll let you know when we arrive…” He says.
*sigh*
I’m in good company…Paul talks about pressing forward in Philippians 3, learning to stay on the road heavenward:
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
I have to be thankful. He’s with me. I’m still amazed that He even invited me along for the ride. After all, He knew that I’d be this way. And He hasn’t grown weary of me and my need to learn again and again. Instead He gently and graciously answers my questions, reminding me: Even when we reach an earthly destination, learning a powerful lesson, its only the beginning – There’s still another leg of the journey to embark on, until we reach our heavenly home.
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