"Wow Danny, look A bridge!" David announced with pure enthusiasm.
"Whoa this is the coolest bridge in the whole world," Danny replied. (I had no idea that going over the Bay Bridge could be so entertaining.)
Look a ship! Is that an Island? Are those sea gulls? What kind of bridge is this Dad? What are those cables for? Can we fall? How do they paint this thing? I hadn't seen the children so excited about something all year.
I had two awakenings on that 30-minute drive to San Francisco. The first one was, obviously we don't get out enough. I mean the bridge is pretty cool and all but you would have thought we had just scaled Mt. Everest. Secondly and most important was how children see the world. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mark 10:15
Gods' Majesty is all around us. It never ceases to amaze me how often my children can see it and I can't. Kids have this amazing ability to see the good stuff in life. Personally I think it's because children live by faith. For the most part they know that each day their needs will be met. They have shoes for their feet; cereal for breakfast, a lunch, a dinner, snack, toys, and life is great. They have faith. Faith in us as parents that we will meet their needs. Faith that their Mom will be at home waiting for them after school. Faith that Dad will be home after work. It's the faith, the freedom from worry and anxiety, that allows them to enjoy all of Gods wonderful gifts.
I on the other hand, worry about everything. With raising five children there's always an opportunity to worry. A few examples: wife, kids, job, house, bills, food, money, injuries, relationships, war, taxes, sickness, health, success, failure, commuting, and of course, don't forget- rolling black outs. I worry that I worry too much. That's weird. Okay, so I'm a worrywart. I need to worry; it helps me get through my day. The Lord said, "Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?" Matthew 6:27 Good point!
David, our second-grader made a Grateful Turkey at school this year. On the feathers of the turkey he had to write four things for which he was grateful. David's four things are: God, Family, Peace and Grandparents. I guess Grandparents are in a league of their own. I don't think I have been more proud of my son. So now when the road of life begins to twist and turn, and I start to get that anxious feeling bellowing up in the pit of my stomach, I remember the turkey.