Are We There Yet?

Our two-year-old is at that age where he absorbs every conversation my husband and I have. Last Sunday we were talking about this upcoming weekend, and how we’d be going to my parent’s house on the way to visit my brother and sister-in-law. He must have listened to every bit of the convo, because on Monday morning the first thing that came out of his mouth was, “Nana and Papa’s house?” I then had to explain to him that he was right that we’d be going there, but it wouldn’t be until later in the week.

It isn’t easy explaining time to a toddler. The best I could do was tell him we had three sleeps until we’d go there, but I’m not sure it was too effective because every time we got in the car he’d say, “Papa’s house!” and talk about the tractor ride he wanted to go on. Every time I had to reassure him that we were going, but not quite yet.

After a long three days of waiting, Thursday morning finally came. He jumped up out of bed, started taking his jammies off, and ran to his dresser to get his clothes on so we could go. Then he ran down the stairs and found his shoes. Then the poor guy waited so patiently while I got his sisters up and dressed.

We got in the car and I was SO relieved to tell him that we WERE now going to Papa’s house! We hit the road and every five minutes I’d hear his sweet little voice say, “Papa’s house?” Over and over I excitedly told him “Yes! We’re on the way to Papa’s house!” I thought he would surely stop asking after a little while, but I kid you not, three hours into our ride he was still asking me every 5 – 10 minutes if we were going to Papa’s farm. It was adorable how he wanted reassurance that we were still headed in the right direction. I didn’t even get annoyed because each ask was so innocent and sincere.

After four hours, we turned onto the ever familiar bumpy Iowa gravel road, and as we peaked over the top of the hill and could see the farm, his eyes lit up. This is the picture I captured, with pure joy in his eyes that his wait was completely worth it. It was such a treat to be the one who got to see how happy he was.

When I thought about our little adventure, I thought about how we too have seasons of life when we act like my little guy did. We go through times of waiting when we wonder how much longer it’ll be until we get to experience something we hope to, whether it’s a job, marriage, kids, more kids, healing, financial stability, deep friendships, ect. We know that the Lord is faithful and that we can completely trust Him, but at the same time we aren’t able to understand the concept of “His timing.”

As patient as we try to be and want to be, our human nature can’t help but wonder if we’re still going in the right direction, if we’re still on the right path, if we’re actually going to get to a place we hope to be.

For those of you who are in that place right now, wondering when it’s going to be your time to “go” to the next step in life, I want to affirm you and remind you to keep giving your cares and anxieties and questions to the Lord. He wants you to continue to give it all to Him, and He doesn’t get annoyed when you approach Him time and time again with a sincere heart. He wants your honesty. He wants to know how you’re really feeling about it. He’s the only one who can give you the peace and contentment while you wait. Each time you ask, He’ll reassure you that He has it under control.

He wants the best for you, and has great plans for you. He’ll be with you every step of the way.

Keep persevering, friend. Keep praying. Keep trusting and hoping and running to our Heavenly Father. He promises JOY and HOPE!

XOXO,

Amber

P.S. For more reflections on parenthood and life, follow us on Facebook (Hun Let’s Run) and on Instagram: @ambermariekuiper and @jakekuiper! We’d also love for you to subscribe to our Hun, Let’s Run Podcast! For more info about joining our fitness community as a customer or coach, please email us at amber@mommysmetime.com!