Parenting comes in stages, ages, and seasons. The hardest year to me has been that 15th year. Jordan received his permit in August and he now drives me most every where I go. Now, when Justin was 15, he drove like a wild man, fast, crazy, close on the bumper to the car in front of us. He scared me to death every time I got in a vehicle with him. Jordan, on the other hand, is quite the opposite. He takes his own sweet time. He drives with some caution. He parks far away from the front door of stores. And he DRIVES THE SPEED LIMIT. Sadly, the rest of the family does not adhere to those rules. But Jordan is very aware of the speed limit and will contantly brake to keep from breaking the law. Good for him. I am glad he is following the rules.
But it drives me crazy. I mean, can't we go any faster. It seems as though we are creeping along at a snails pace. And it seems like we need to leave the house much earlier to reach our destination on time. I mean, I could drive there in half the time. And as I sit in the passenger seat and wiggle and squirm, and bite my tongue, I am learning a little bit of patience. (And no, I didn't pray for it). But I am learning patience. Jordan is doing the right thing, He is driving the speed limit. He is following the law.
Isn't that how we are with God sometimes? We are ready to move on with our lives. We pray for a job, a raise, a new house, a friend, most anything we pray for, and we expect God to give it to us immediately. But He takes His time to answer our prayers. He knows what is best for us, and He knows the perfect time in which to give us what we want or need. He is in control. And while we squirm in our passenger seats, creeping at a snails pace, it seems, we are able to learn the things God wants us to. We learn patience, love and trust for God, and we know that God has our best interest at heart. He has a plan for our lives and His timing is perfect. Jeremiah 29:11
