The twins got their drivers permits a couple of weeks ago and they are chomping at the bit to learn how to drive. The kids and I have all agreed that Matt teaching the kids how to drive is not a good idea for any of us. He gets stresses out, he is a tad impatient, may be a bit of a worrier, and it just freaks him out! I am a bit more laid back and don’t freak out when they don’t turn soon enough or turn into oncoming traffic! Our first outing was the day they received their permits. I have already done this with the 2 older ones, so I have a pretty good system down now. Our church has an amazing parking lot that is large, spread out and has minimal traffic during the day. After begging for several days since I returned from our trip I promised them that if I didn’t take them today, I would give them both twenty bucks! Haha! I just didn’t have it in me. I had been so busy and let’s be real when I say, you need to be in a certain mindset to get behind the wheel with not one, but two new drivers. Thankfully I prepped myself all day and after picking up the middle schooler, we went driving for round two. I didn’t have to fork over forty dollars either! Back to the church we went. We are not ready for the real road yet! I got a little bit of a kick out of how I realized that all 4 of our drivers drive similar to their personalities. One is super independent, doesn’t like messing up, likes to figure things out on her own, and doesn’t like being told what to do. But she is cautious and not a huge risk taker. She hated being “taught” how to drive. One is super logical, takes things for what they are, is a rule follower, never thinks he is at fault, and is a bit of a goofball. He listened to all my instructions and took everything seriously. Now the twins, our calm, laid back, super competitive, risk averse, slow moving, rational, always cautious, but often unaware of their surroundings children. They drive just like that, slow, precise, and a bit of over thinking! The funniest part about today was how serious they both are behind the wheel. One accelerates a bit too hard and the other breaks too hard. No one hit a curb today, and they both got in-between the lines in the parking spots. They both want to be good at it and neither wants to mess up. They both need some serious parking practice, or they will take out 3-5 vehicles on pulling in and out of the parking lots! As soon as we are done with their lesson, they immediately want to know who was better. They crack me up. And I love them! We are making progress with their driving skills and their confidence levels behind the wheel. I’m not sure when exactly I will let them on an actual road yet, but maybe another parking lot! Haha! I will say that I quietly stress out when they drive. I hate it still when the oldest two are out driving. It is a worry like no other. It is super hard to let them go out on their own. I am learning. By the time the youngest is driving I guess I’ll be a professional driving instructor. I am also certain that I will have lots more gray hair to cover!
Today made me love the way the twins are so laid back in their love for others. It reminded me how God loves us in a very laid back and calm kind of way. He never pushes us or demands anything from us. He is never loud and bossy. He lets us come to Him in our own time. Some of us sooner than others. But He just sits and patiently waits on us. Some of us run to Him with open arms and welcome Him into our lives without questions or doubt. Some of us are a bit more independent and don’t want to be forced into faith. Some of us run in the opposite direction because we don’t think we deserve that kind of love. It takes all different time frames for all kinds of people. I urge you to run to Him with open arms. Allow Him to love you completely without doubt. If you are struggling to let Him in, I encourage you to take that step. It is not a life filled with rules of can and cannot. It is a beautiful life filled with blessings, peace, hope and joy. If you don’t think you deserve His love, I am here to tell you that none of us deserve it. But He doesn’t give it because we deserve it. He gives it because we don’t! His love is unfailing. His love is full of grace and mercy. His love is perfect! Let Him love you and love Him in return. You will never regret that choice. He is waiting for you. Just call to Him and He will be there!
Ephesians 3:18-19 "And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."
Sowing tears and reaping joy 