Puking Out The Car Window

Ever have one of 'those' days?

As we are rushing out the door this morning, my youngest, who stayed up a bit to late last night was complaining of a tummy ache. In the rush of the morning, I summed it up in one sentence. "I am sure you are just a tired."

Sure enough, about 40 minutes later the phone rings and it is the school nurse sounding just as trepidations as I was about the 'tummy ache'. We again reinforced the need to 'hang in there' and back to class she went. About an hour later I get another call saying she has thrown up on the playground, however it was not witnessed and according to Madison, "Well, it was a little, not really that much." It was the 'official' puking that does call for the mother to officially come and pick up her child from school and even the nurse chuckled as she hung up the phone.

During this conversation, I am getting beeped by my oldest that she had forgotten her saxophone and needed me to bring to school. I reschedule the rest of my day, leave to pick up my 'sick' child and drop off the saxophone. When I arrive at the nurse's office, I am greeted with a smirk and Madison climbs into the back seat sighing as she props her head on the door. I am thinking, 'she thinks she has pulled a fast one." Off to the next school to drop off the saxophone and like any good mother, I am formulating in my head how I can truly verify this 'illness'.

Knowing that she loves hot chocolate at her favorite coffee shop, I ask if it is OK, to stop and pick up a cup of coffee in the drive through lane. She agrees but to my surprise, she doesn't request a thing. She sighs again and props her coat up as a pillow and I think, "She is on to my investigation."

Then without a moment to spare, as I am pulling out of the drive through lane, hot coffee in hand, she flies up from seat, screams for me to roll down the window, and proceeds to leave a trail the rest of the way home. I on the other hand, go down for yet another 'worst mother of the year award'. As the wind is blowing her hair in her face as she is now into the drive heaves stage still hanging out the window, she cries out, 'Dear Jesus, I don't think I can make it. Please help me. Mom, just keep driving."

The innocence of a child and what lessons we can learn. I am so grateful that she has a heart for the Lord that despite any short comings that her mom may have, she relies on the Lord for her strength and for me to help her in her journey. 'Mom, just keep driving.' Lessons learned to slow down and pay attention to the details in life. Lessons not to think 'I know everything' and lessons to remember that Jesus is always there for us, even when we are puking out the car window.

A wonderful friend of mine emailed me today and shared that for no reason at all, God had placed me on her heart a month ago and she had been praying for me. Unknown to her, I have been really struggling this past month and in a pity party I was throwing on Sunday, shouted to my husband, 'No one really cares about me.' I have been shouting for months, "God, are you there? Help me out here!" God through all His wisdom led her to email me today of all days to share that she had been praying of me and didn't really know why. I was able to share some of my struggles and thanked her for guidance and prayers.

As Madison and I pulled into the garage, she gingerly gets out of the car and says, "Sorry for puking all over your car, mom." I smile and say, "You can puke all over my car any time. Sorry for having to stop for coffee." We venture into the house for a bath and an afternoon of cartoons, a blanket and a pillow, and snuggles on the couch.

Isn't our God just like that. We cry out, "Please Jesus, help me. I don't think I can make it." He is there to rub our backs, send us friends to support us as we look up to Him and say, "sorry for puking all over you." He smiles back and says, "I forgive you and I love you."

To experience the mountain top experiences of life, we often times have to walk through the valleys and back up the rugged terrain of the mountain. We even find ourselves puking out the car window and crying out for help, all the while remembering that we have the most everlasting, amazing God, who loves us and wants a personal relationship with us. He is our Savior and will always take the car to the car wash!

Sincerely and With Love,
Jill