"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and co not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB1995)
I came across a meme the other day that said something about not discussing your plans with your children until you are totally committed to making it happen. Instantly, I remember that parenting stage: the one where they are clued in enough to read eyebrows and inferences. If any future possibility was brought up in the presence of children, “But you promised!” was the chorus they clung to.
There is nothing quite like surprising a child with something wonderful. I miss that part of parenting, probably because it was the one thing we were pretty good at! We’d wow our kids with trips to the ice cream parlor or tickets to Six Flags. We’d redecorate their rooms while they were away at camp. One time, a much-desired video game system arrived five whole days before Christmas so a certain ten year old could spend his whole winter break defeating bad guys. What might have been my favorite surprise involved a pink Barbie dream house and a series of little girl squeals we can never unhear. 🙂 Good parents enjoy surprising and delighting their kids.
That time we surprised our kids with a trip to the Alamo. (2007)
The empty nest is a whole lot quieter. Rob and I kick around all kinds of ideas openly: we could go to a movie or hop on the scooter, we could put on pajamas and cuddle on the couch. These days, we bat plans around until, together, we decide how we want to proceed. There are no more secret meeting in hushed tones for fear of getting the children excited before we are certain. Good parents have plans for their children long before their kiddos have a clue.
This morning, Proverbs reminds us that God has good plans for His kids, too. He hopes to surprise and delight. He’d love for us to squeal in joy over His will unfolding. Scriptures like Jeremiah 29:11 and Romans 8:28 assure us, but the whole of scripture underscores God’s faithfulness and His good plans. His greatest goal remains unchanged: that we would be His people and He would be our God. Anything between now and that end is adventure along the way; a long series of good things emerging for God’s kids.
There’s a line in Mary Poppins Returns that has everything to do with this idea. The beloved, trusted nanny is touring the Banks children through the city resolving their family crises. At one point, John, who is altogether too grown up for his tender age, has made many concerned inquiries. Mary Poppins shuts him down when she says, “We’re on the brink of adventure children, don’t spoil it with questions!”
Our good Father is a great deal more trustworthy than Mary Poppins. He’s planning good things for His kids and we can depend upon Him to lead us along right paths. My goal for today is to relax and enjoy the journey. Time in His presence is always worth the venture.
"For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB1995)
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28 NASB1995)
Lord, we acknowledge that You are a Good Father who has good plans. Today we surrender ourselves to them afresh. We embark on the adventure of today with trusting hearts. Amen.