Why'd they do it?

 It was her day off, it was early, it was almost 200 miles round trip, it was five hours out of her day, but she didn’t blink, just nodded and said, “I’ll be happy too.” She got up early, packed sleeping kids in car seats and made her way to our house.

About a hundred miles, and two hours, later, they dropped us at the airport, with hugs and kisses and tears and goodbyes.

Four-year-old Luke sat in his car seat, big tears streaming, “But I wanna go with Makah and Papa.” His little lip quivered. “I can get on the plane, too.”

He didn’t think of the consequences of being away from his mom. The one he clings to when he’s scared or tired or sad. He didn’t consider that he wouldn’t be able to simply go home on a moment’s notice. He just wept. Which made Makah weep too.

In the meantime, some 1550 miles away, they headed north. It was around eighty or ninety miles one way, at least three or four hours out of their day. They said they had to go up there anyway. I know they were just saying that. But there they were, all smiles, waiting when we got off the plane.

They drove us all the way out to our camper. Even though they had a graduation to attend, they waited to see if we’d be okay, if the camper survived the harsh winter, and even tried to jump the old truck out of hibernation before they’d go.

Why’d they do it?

We had a couple minor plumbing leaks which triggered multiple trips to town.

On one of the trips, for yet another part, somewhere between flex hoses, shutoff valves and cash registers, they showed up; seven of them in all.

They heard where we were going, dropped what they were doing, changed their plans, went out of their way, tracked us down and intercepted our journey. So, right there in the middle of Menard’s home improvement store, we improved our home, by having an impromptu family reunion.  

The rest of the day and into the evening we worked, and finally, sometime after nine—we were leak free.

The next day, as I was standing in front of the grill flipping steaks, I thought of her. Minutes later, she drove in. Uninvited, no plans ahead of time, she just showed up; because she knows, dad always says, "Family don’t need no invitation."

She stayed for supper and after three, or was it four? hugs goodbye, she got in her car and made her way back home.

Why’d she do it?

Today, cooped up in this camper, I traded my typical Florida attire of flip flops and shorts, for long pants and sweatshirt. Wish we had a fireplace. The sky is spilling a cadence on our roof while casting it’s dingy-silver reflection on the lake…and I’m reflecting on the last few days.

Why’d they do it?

Why’d they drive for hours, leave their homes, change their plans?

On second thought.

We left the space and sunshine of our Florida home in a peaceful park with a sparkling pool, for this dreary, rain, cramped camper and cold weather.

Why’d we do it?

And then I see the sun break through, listen to the breeze through the trees, smile as the birds start to sing. Through the window I watch as if the scene goes from black and white to living color…and somehow, in the midst of it all, I see and hear and feel, The Creator.

And just like that the answer comes.

In the midst of the cold and dreary, cramped and weary world, there still remains the undeniable proof of the One who left the spacious splendor of His sparkling city, simply to make a way for us, every.single.one.of.us. to be with Him.

I caught a glimpse of what really matters, a partial fingerprint of our Father, a reflection of His heart's greatest desire for us all to be one. One big, noisy, messy, happy, loving, family.

Jesus prayer for us today:

 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am” (John 17) 

Jesus, the Word, became flesh.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness could not extinguish it. (John 1)

Jesus left Home just to be with us:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2)

Jesus ran and won so we can be one:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12)

 iluvu & ipray4u every day.