Despite all of this, it somehow remained a Great Adventure, at least to us kids. Now that I’m a parent, I sometimes wonder how my parents even survived, much less stayed happily married. Some days I can hardly handle the laundry, not to mention outbreaks of lice and chicken pox! But, when I really think about it, those memories truly are fond ones. Remembering brings my family closer, creates our family-bond, and reminds us that community comes from long hours together and memory-maker moments. And then I wonder how much it matters that my parents truly believed it was a Great Adventure, that this is the stuff that life is made of, and that they could trust the ultimate Adventurer in his plan for them as parents and us as a family.
Do you believe God could have a great adventure for you? And not the bleach-in-the-eye kind, but an adventure and mission for your life? Ephesians 3:20 says, “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (The Message) Every day I have a choice, to invite God to show me his Great Adventure for me or to do it on my own. It seems to end up a death march more often than not without God involved. But somehow, when I commit my life to Him each day, I am more likely to be the guide on my family’s Great Adventure together.
Lesson Two: God is Not a Genie
Driving in the car last week, my five-year-old and I were having a discussion about God’s birth. I was explaining in my less-known patient voice, “Well, honey, God was never born. He always was. It’s hard to explain and understand. So, it’s even hard for mommy to understand, but that’s what God has said. He is the Creator of everything.”
Thirty seconds of silence, and then these words:
“Mom, is God a Genie? Because I can understand about genies. They are not hard to understand.” I smiled, because I love seeing a mind at work. What is it about what he’s learning about God that equates him with a genie? When he meets God, is he going to ask for a million more wishes?
