“Are we there yet?“

4 small, seemingly benign words. And yet, when these 4 words are spoken at 4-minute intervals on a 4-hour road trip by all 4 of your children, even the most patient of parents can ferment into peeved progenitors. These situations are why Tablets and Video Games exist. And what about all those studies Grandma and Grandpa just sent you about screen time rotting your kids’ brains? Doesn’t matter…they need parents who haven’t been driven to insanity, right?

But in contrast to that exasperating 4-word refrain, my daughter has recently been responding differently to the anticipation of a promised future event. Rather than ruminate, she will instead grab a book and completely lose track of time as she becomes engrossed in the story.

4 hours later when I tell her it’s time to go, she says, “Wow! That was fast!” Then she wraps up her current novel and we run off to the next adventure!

And I think this is what is meant when Ecclesiastes 5:20 says, “He will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” Instead of being preoccupied with incessantly asking “if you’re there yet,” be busy with joy. Stay busy soaking up the beautiful tapestry of life experiences that God gives you.

And when it’s your time to conclude the story of your life here on Earth, you’ll exclaim, “Wow! That was fast!” and run jubilantly into the everlasting arms of Jesus