I want to thank everyone for their emails, e-cards, texts, and facebook posts! When I went to sleep on December 6th I had been contacted in one-way or another by nearly 270 people!! The best gift I could have asked for was to be reminded that my family is more than the walls of my home!
I wrote this blog on the 6th – while we were driving to New York but it’s been so crazy here that I couldn’t post it until now!
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On December 6, 31 years ago, I was born on my Momma’s birthday! She always said it was her best birthday! Yet she reminds me how much pain I caused her that day and every day after that!!! LOL! Looking at the back of my van – I see 7 sleepy children. No doubt they are the best part of me! I can only pray that I’m half the mother to them that my Mom was to me.
We’ve spent the last 13 hours driving to New York. Today while I was driving I couldn’t help but notice my hands on the wheel. For some reason, it took me back to when I was 5 years old. Do you remember those days–when you didn’t have to wear a seat belt? I remember crawling up in my Daddy’s lap and he would actually let me help him drive! My hands were at 10 and 2! I remember thinking, “Wow, I’m so smart! Look at me driving at 5 years old!”
I can still remember the police officer pulling us over with me still sitting in Daddy’s lap! “Sir, you can’t let your daughter drive your car.” My Dad would then smile and explain that his hands were on the wheel the whole time. He was in control the entire time. Of course, I was so busy looking at the road, steering the station wagon, that I never even noticed my daddy’s hands on the bottom of the wheel. At first, I was really disappointed. I thought I was doing it all on my own. But looking back, I think, “Wow! Without my father’s hand, there’s no way I could have headed in the right direction much less stayed on the road.”
Over the years, my parents have sacrificed and demonstrated an incredible love for me as they have constantly waited in the wings watching me make good decisions and being there to help when the decisions I made were not so good. Yet with as much “steering” as my parents have given me, my Father in Heaven is even more invested in me. He made me in His image. He loves me with a love I can never even understand. And like my parents, His hands have been on the “wheel” the entire time. “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. “Jeremiah 29:11-12
How many times have you thought you were leading your life only to see that God had his hand upon you and was “steering” you all along? Isn’t it comforting to know that we never have to go it alone?
26 years later and I’m no more in control now than I was then. The only thing I do know is to keep my hands planted firmly in the center of His Will (wheel).
You are so very right, Jody, when you say how our Father has His hand on the wheel of our lives. I, too, am very thankful for all His help & direction, in guiding me along the bumpy & the smooth parts of my life. I just want to thank you for the insightful messages you send on this website & how it helps us to keep track of how the mission is going. We continue to keep you all in our prayers & pray for the Lord’s rich blessings upon you & your family & those people who work at or come to the mission for help. Merry Christmas & a very Happy New Year to you all!
I love reading about your ministry. You find a way to speak to me every time you post.
I read this and had tears streaming down my cheeks. I used to drive on my daddy’s lap. Now I look forward to seeing him in Heaven. Thinking of my daddy helping to steer my life when I was little and my Father in Heaven when I was older, it brings me such peace.
thanks for posting this. you’ve got such an amazing talent for writing and helping us to relate to your experiences. reading your posts are always the highlight of my day.
I came across your blog through my church. One of your posts was placed on our bullentin board and I wrote down the website. Since then I have enjoyed following your family. You don’t know me but I feel as though you are part of my extended family.
Your willingness to share your highs and lows with us is what makes you so unique. You truly inspire me with your transparency.
Jody you are so right. He is in control at all times. We all need to go back to those days and look at what we have been through and where we are now. Would we have made it without him. God knows you and Jose are blessed and God chose the right servants for his army. Love you sis and will always be there for you.