Saved From The Storm!!

Yesterday Riley and I started heading back to Indiana from Kansas. We had the best time with my parents and all of the family we got to see while we were there. Riley even made a new friend with my niece's stepson. They played basketball in the street. I loved seeing him get to do that. Riley made 5 baskets in a row. My dad, I'm sure, needs a rest today because Riley picked on him all week. Our visit was amazing.

But it is always good to be home and as we were driving, Riley kept saying "Mom, let's just go home".  I myself was seriously thinking of driving the 11 hours straight through. I have done this before and probably could have done it again. But about 6 hours in, I really started having second thoughts. At this time the sky was clear and there was no sign of of rain, but something kept nagging at me to find a hotel. I drove through St. Louis but I didn't see a hotel I wanted us to stay at, so I kept going. The next town we came to was Granite City, Illinois and the tug to find a hotel was even stronger there. So we did.

We checked in, got to our room, settled down and the next thing we hear is loud thunder. I look out the window and the sky that had been blue just a few minutes before was dark as night. The front edge of a storm had moved in, out of no where, and looked very scary.

 

As the storm progressed there were 60 mile an hour winds, driving rain, lightening, thunder and hail. There would have been no way we could have out run this storm. We would have been caught out in it if we had not have stopped. I truly believe that the strong urge to find a hotel was God keeping us safe. Isn't he amazing??

I catch myself being surprised when I see a miracle from God so clearly. But this should not be. After all, we are God's creation. He wants to do all he can to keep us safe, through any of life's storms.

We see all through the scriptures where God protects His own. I have seen His protection through my whole life and I see it in the lives of those around me. I am reminded of this verse in Psalm 125.....

Psalm 125:2

Living Bible (TLB)

2 Just as the mountains surround and protect Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds and protects his people.

Last night as I fell asleep I thanked God for the safe, dry warm bed but I also asked Him to forgive me for being so surprised that I was there.



Blessings!!

Stick Like Glue

Riley and I have driven to Kansas to visit my parents while Rodney is on a mission trip in Guatemala. I love going on mission trips and would have loved going on this one with him but this silly Lupus of mine and the sun closest to the equator do not mix. 

Mission trips are very special to me for many reasons, First you can really shine Christ on them as you serve the persons you have gone to be with. Another is, that it is a great bonding time within the church, as members work side by side to complete the tasks set before them. You also get to see parts of our country and world you might not have seen for any other reason. And the last one, for me, is that I truly realized how much I cared for the man that would become the love of my life, on this earth, on a mission trip. He and I have been kind of glued together ever since.

Speaking of being glued together, Riley can't seem to get enough of my Dad. Where ever he is, there Riley is too. It has always been that way with Riley and Dad. There is just something about my Father that Riley can't seem to get enough of. Riley seems to be hovering and if it was me I might get a little annoyed with him. Dad doesn't. He just keeps smiling and letting Riley be Riley.

I was thinking about this this morning and trying to truly understand, because I was kind of feeling bad for Dad. But as I was watching them it occurred to me what is going on. Riley feels the unabashed love my dad has for him. He feels the non judgement from my dad. He feels free with my dad. My Dad does not care if Riley is fitting into the norm of life. He wants him to be the silly sweet Down syndrome kid he is. 


Most of the adults that Riley deals with, including Rodney and myself, are all trying to help him grow up enough to maybe get to be out on his own in this world. So we are always directing him in that direction. "Don't do that", "let's do things this way", "Come on Riley, don't be so silly", are just a few things he hears from most of us. I'm not saying this is wrong. It has to be done to help Riley survive in the adult world. But as I try to keep Riley from what I see as picking on my Father, Dad just keeps looking at me and saying "It's OK".


We silly humans have the same understanding from our God. We do not have to change into something we are not to come to Him. Look what Jesus said when the disciples were trying to discourage the children from getting to him....

Matthew 19:14

Common English Bible (CEB)

14 “Allow the children to come to me,” Jesus said. “Don’t forbid them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like these children.”

My Dad gets this verse. In fact he has a little child in him himself, that he is not ashamed to show. I guess I need to let up, be kid like myself, and let Riley relax. It is his vacation too!

When Riley is with my Father, he doesn't have to change anything. He can just be himself. How wonderful for him!!! That is how it is when we come to God. We can be our child like selves too! 

I love this reminder from my Dad!!! I guess I am still learning from my wise father. All of us can. 

Blessings!