Grace in the Mundane
Ordinary Life – Amazing God
IF WE COULD SEE THE FUTURE!
When my kids were growing up we lived in St Louis about two hours from where we live now. We spent Memorial Day weekends here in Herrin with my family.
We would spend the days out on the lake. My parents didn’t have a house on the lake at that time, there were fewer of us, and we spent the whole day out in the boat. When I think about it now probably not the best parenting lol, but I think my kids loved it.
They rode around in the boat all day, they wore their life jackets all day, they ate lunch in the boat. When we stopped we would let them out to play in the water to cool off. When they feel asleep we would lay them under the dash in the only shade there was. It was the summer life they grew up with. Not a bad childhood.
We would start each Memorial Day weekend on Saturday morning at the Herrin Fest Parade. Covering our ears from the fire trucks, watching the floats and bands, and getting the biggest bag of candy I have ever seen at any parade.
When my nieces and nephews came along we continued the tradition, but everyone grew up and we have not done the parade in years. This year we revised the tradition.
We took our grandkids Bella and Milo to the parade. Milo wasn’t too impressed he slept, ate a bottle and was a trooper in the heat. However, I am pretty sure he holds the record for the youngest family member to attend.
Bella loved it, she got into collecting the candy, she loved waving at everyone, and loved the band. She was getting her grove on, and I think would have marched away with them if she could have.
Who knew how things would change over the years. That we would all be living here in Herrin now, doing life together. That Brittany would be riding in the parade as Herrin Chamber President.
Four or five years ago I was wondering if God would ever bless our family with babies. It was a struggle I was having with Him. A struggle of doubt, bitterness, jealousy, anger and lack of faith.
I couldn’t see what God had in store back in those days when we were taking Brittany and Chris to the parade, but God did. In fact, even back then, God was already there in yesterdays future as we enjoyed that parade with Bella and Milo.
I avoid using the verse in Jeremiah because I feel it’s over used but it fits today’s post.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Thank you God that yesterday Bella and Milo attended their first, of what I hope is many Herrin Fest parades, with four generations of family, with parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and aunts and uncles.
Thank you that when we can’t see the future you are already there.
This picture is not at Herrin Fest but it is about the age my kids started attending. Poppy start saving your money because it won’t be long before the parade won’t be enough for Bella and Milo.
Grace in the Mundane 