Today we’re leaving for a trip to Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon and to celebrate my Grandmother’s 90th birthday. Yesterday was a day of packing and preparing.
My husband and I are excited because it’s our first big family trip in over a year and our first trip ever to the Grand Canyon.
Our kids are excited too, although with all the enthusiasm of an ennui-filled teenager, my daughter’s response was, “What’s the big deal? It’s just a big hole in the ground.” (Lord, give me patience!) But where my daughter lacks words, my 10-year-old son more than fills the silence. Since this is his first trip to Arizona as well as the Grand Canyon he asked a lot of questions yesterday. A. lot. of. questions!
With his habitual mantra of Why? What? How? When? he’s often focused on figuring out the unknown. As a result he frequently misses the unfolding discoveries of new experiences.
When we arrive in Phoenix we’ll visit with a dear friend of mine from high school. Then we’re off to the Grand Canyon. There are many unknowns. Yesterday as we packed, my son’s brain was in overdrive trying to identify, categorize and sort them all.
- What are her (my friend’s) kids going to be like?
- Do they have a pool? How big is it?
- When we land? What time will it be at home?
- How long is the drive to the Grand Canyon?
- What will our room look like?
- How far away is the Canyon from our room?
- How wide are the paths that we hike on?
- Why can’t we hike to the bottom? I want to play in the water.
- Will there be water along the way?
- Will we see coyote?
- What kind of SUV did we rent?
- What time do we get home? Is that Arizona time or our time?
Whew, all that in ten minutes! I’m not kidding!
Even if I could answer all his questions, dozens more lay in wait. Because he wants to envision a moment-by-moment picture in his mind’s eye. But what concrete answers can adequately describe the actual experience of traveling to an exciting new place, visiting with family and friends we rarely see and witnessing the majesty of a natural wonder.
His questions got me thinking about our faith journey and the questions we ask along the way. Why? What? How? When?
- Why do bad things happen to good people?
- Why wasn’t my prayer answered?
- How can all the stories in the Old Testament really be true?
- Why are there starving people in Africa?
- What about religious people who die who aren’t Christians?
- What does heaven look like?
- Why does God let evil exist if He’s really all-powerful?
- Why do I have to tell others?
- Why isn’t it enough that I’m a good person?
- When is Jesus coming again?
We ask and ask and ask. Some of our questions can be answered. Others can’t—yet. Even if they are, dozens more lay in wait. But as we focus on figuring out the situation-by-situation specifics we miss the experience.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) Besides, what concrete answers can adequately describe how much God loves us or what it’s like, through Jesus, to have a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe? And that’s the point of the journey, isn’t it?
I’m excited for the experiences and memories our trip will bring. But most of all I can’t wait to stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon and take in a view that I'm sure will be magnificent.
I can only imagine the view at the gates of heaven will be even better!
8 comments:
Great post, Kelli! Love the way you tied in the questions that we, as HIS chilren, ask --sometimes over and over (just like our own little ones!)
I'll be praying that y'all have a wonderful trip, and that your son will see a coyote!! Looking forward to seeing a lot of pictures!!! Whoohoo!
Love you!
Susan
How great it will be to stand in the awesome splendor of the Creator! Take lots of pictures!!! The verse Hebrews 11:1is one that keeps coming back to me! Thanks for sharing it! It is one to keep in the forefront of our minds!
Susan Roberts
Mosaic Heart Ministry
Kelli, thanks for a great post. Praying that your trip to the Grand Canyon is as spectacular as that natural wonder, that your son gets all his questions answered, and that your daughter is totally awed! LOL! Aren't kids great? And as for all those questions about our faith, I think we are all looking forward to someday getting the answers!
Kelli, I'm so excited that you guys will get to see the Canyon! I saw it years ago when we went to see family (we have family in Phoenix, too!), but Don goes nearly every year as the sponsor of a biology field trip. His favorite moment of the trip is when the students first see the Canyon. They can't believe that they will be hiking to the bottom. It's the adventure of a lifetime.
Will be looking forward to your report :)
Dear Kelli,
I pray for a safe an awe inspiring trip to see family, friends and most importantly the wonders that God has created.
In 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT) we read "No eye has seen,no ear has heard,and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him."
As you stand and look at the Grand Canyon for the first time and remember that verse from God's Word, just "Breathe"..............
Blessings and Love.....Peggy
kelli
as I get ready to go to my writer's workshop you have reminded me to enjoy the journey.
Filled with lots of questions and fears I actually forgot it was a prize I had won... a gift from God.
you always have a way of enlightening me just when I need it.
have a wonderful time
Donna
Really good, Kelli. You are right - sometimes in my questioning I am not even enjoying the trip! It's a trust issue for me, and if I just sit back and let Him drive, I will appreciate so much more. Thanks again.
Wow, what a great picture of how our questions can halt our faith. Your son's questions were good...but sometimes mine are not so good. Oh for more faith! Thanks for the great post!
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