Isn’t it funny how things get connected in our heads? For me, music is a great connector. Right now, I am driving in the middle of the night through various states. It’s dark and Switchfoot is singing along with me. Okay… really I am trying to keep up rocking with them… I’ll not share that skill with y’all. Suddenly – I’m filled with a mix of emotions. What is that?
It’s been more than 6 years since our family made a late night drive to candidate for a pastorate. The joy, the anticipation. We drove through the dark in anticipation of meeting people we had fallen in love with long before we ever saw them in person. And the heartbreak God walked us through was so much more than I could bear when we had to leave that place. Funny. Even today the pain exists and I know God knew I would go through it before we ever left. But I see now all the amazing ways He protected us, grew us, cares for us and used us. It’s the emotions of all of that I am reminded of on this late-night, cross-country drive.
As I listen again to those same songs… I’m going home. Only this time, I am going to a second home… To visit my daughter! Oh, how life moves and changes. The song playing is still painful as I can still see where we were as we drove that highway so very long ago on a night like this. But the sweetness of looking back to see all God has done makes it worth it. I’d rather remember with the swirl of emotions than not remember at all. Think of all the opportunities to praise God I would have missed!
On this dark night I’ll enjoy the stars, the quiet, the joy of the full van of people I adore and the anticipation of arriving into my girl’s warm embrace, even well after midnight! And… be thankful for the blessings that were present in those dark days.
Oh and thanks Switchfoot for music that reminds me of my true home…
“Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things He does for me.”
Psalms 103:2 NLT
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