When we decided to have a “more than you bargain for” size family, my husband and I had to calculate the cost. For me, I believed I would be sacrificing the freedom to have coffee with the girls and of any acceptance to ‘normalness‘, of ever being your average family. Hey! I was young!
For my man, his measuring stick was not anyway the same as mine. Apparently, different didn’t concern him nor did the perceived lack of freedom or belonging. What he did lay on the altar of self though was any possibility to own his Porsche. Didn’t know many sports cars suitable for offspring unless a trailer became an option.
And I know. When you consider what we gave up for our children’s lives, our sacrifices do look fairly piddly. But they were still real …. ARE still real although shrinking as eternal perspective becomes clearer.
Fast forward twenty years, ten children and a lifestyle that neither of us could have predicted. Our choices haven’t become overwhelmingly popular even though many desire our outcomes.
But richness IS our constant companion. Why? Cause we’re wise; clever even? Bah Ha!
Seek first …. stuff, bling, notoriety, friends, cash. Yup. I’m guilty. But apparently I have also done a little ‘Him’ seeking too because …… ‘all these things’ have come unto us in proportion. Not in the package I initially imagined; different but way better.
The indescribable climax of a season had the legs of a Mazda MX5. A surprise for just a weekend for my man but in it’s outworking, my God spared nothing.
Entertain the image of driving through the Grand National Park with mist rising, past weirs, around tree encompassed bends, roof open and breeze enticing, music enhancing this journey like the accompaniment to a movie staring my man, routing over the Sea Cliff Bridge and climaxing along a plethora of coastal villages.
An indescribably delicious few days. But the experience was only the vehicle of reaping juicy fruit from seeds sown a thousand choices ago.
Let me tell you. It was very nice packaging but the substance wasn’t in the nuts and bolts that we rode in [as well put together as they were].
It was in the emotional distance we had travelled before, together, but also individually. Each time we responded to His nudging, a t- intersection was encountered. All choices toward human suffering, be it a skinned knee or trafficking, was a cross road. Every offence we forgave fueled our vehicle. The smallest decision to rightness, in love not in legalism, pointed us into a more direct route to our desired destination.
Most of this journey was completed metaphorically in a 12 seater Transit Bus way before our weekend. But the final leg, the cherry on the cake, we got to travel in style.
And here’s some irony. In the picture above, the sign says I am at Bus Stop Flats …
… whats in that?
Hope the final leg isn't over yet…. do you keep the car?
Fiona
xx
Your brother WISHES … :}
how wonderful the images and how lovely the journey you have walked – love this post
Unexpected lives can be the loveliest
Lovely post but I have to ask–do you really have that many children????? WOW! I stopped at one!
Ok.. I got a little lost in the story. It was beautiful and i am so happy things are paying off, but did you buy the car or is it a rental for a trip?
I love that it´s not in the nuts and bolts but in the journey. That´s great stuff!
Yep PCC is where ABEKA is made. I use it love live it now. LOl
Definitely a rental.!!!
Need to look after one more thing like fish need flippers.
I got a little lost too, but see now that it was a rental. Great metaphor for life.
You told that beautifully. WOW .. TEN KIDS! You two definitely needed a little getaway! Glad you got it 🙂 Great pics
Hi Sande,
Thank you for visiting my blog. You're quite the adventerous woman with 10 children. I'm so glad you and your hubby had a nice get-away with that sporty little car. Sounds like you had a grand time! Blessings.
Are you kidding me? TEN kids? Wonderful! I loved this post. Here from Slurping Life.
You needed that adventurous get-away!!
What a cool car to take it in.
May I also add how wonderful you look in that photo.
Best,
Lisa
Love the post, and I loved hearing about your life.
I was raised on a family who believed that getting there is half the fun.
What an amazing journey. Ten kids???? TEN KIDS????
You're a better woman than me Gunga Din 😀
Glad you got to relax for a bit.
Wow! 10 Kiddos – I thought I had my work cut out with 7!! 😀 You def' deserve a bit of fun. Great story 😀
Cx
I loved this post. I appreciate your love for family and the great example you and your husband are for other moms and dads. Great article.
This is such a sweet reflection!
Sande,
Thank you so much for stopping by!!! I am so excited about getting to know you…I could hardly wait to get back just so I could haunt your blog!!! 😉 Thank you for your kind and caring comments!!! It means so much to me!!! This post of yours is hilarious, and I could so relate to it!!!! When we were first married, my husband decided that we should buy a Datsun 280Z…black…I wanted a station wagon…but I let him buy the Z just so he could get it out of his system…LOL…Love your story!!!! And you demonstrate such a wonderful command and breadth of vocabulary and language in your writing!!! It will be a joy to read your thoughts about life and life with God!!! Love to you! Janine XO
Cool story! And wow, 10 kiddos!
What a thoughtful and insightful post, thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing that…BTW, I was just in my google reader and how is it that I was not following??? What??? I am now sister!
Loved your story. I can imagine the smile on his face driving that car for the weekend.
10 kids. I'm frazzled just saying that!
I don't think anyone, other than someone else who could never fit their entire family in a regular everyday sedan, can appreciate the pure luxury of being able to jump in a flashy coupe and hit the road, ANY ROAD, for destination anyway! I most certainly do not have ten children (you go girl!!) but even my paltry four make it too hard enjoy even a sporty sedan LOL
What an awesome blessing. A weekend away, a sporty coupe, each other and ten beautiful babes to return to. I love that absence makes the hearts grow fonder…What a wickedly refreshing time.
Thank you for sharing.
Cheers
Jewelz
Sande – nice to meet you.
Sounds like we have a lot in common.
Soon we will be the proud and very blessed parents of 9 children!
We drive a HUGE transit bus too – ours is Chevy.
Blessings and grace,
Jill
The things we trade for real riches :)!
Wow, you have such an amazing way with words, girl!
I love this: "Every offence we forgave fueled our vehicle. The smallest decision to rightness, in love not in legalism, pointed us into a more direct route to our desired destination."
The choices and decisions we make today determine our direction and destination tomorrow.
Oh, and I remember when we went from a car to a van, lol! And we only have two kids but we wanted room to haul their friends around too.
How fun!!! I would love to rent a fast sports car and take off w/ the hubby!
Inspiring as always, I just love reading your stuff, you express your thoughts so deeply descriptive.I think I'll have to get some tips from you on how to find my way around all this stuff, have managed to work a few things out Lxx
great story and faithfulness rewarded…big smiles.
You are beautiful, inside and out. Love the post and the reflection. I now sound like a patsy for complaining about a mini-van.
I used to think that a small 2- seater would be the thing for me, until I started driving a pick-up truck.
When our kids are older, I am sure I will be like you, trying to see what car can give us the funnest ride. I love your metaphor of life as a car ride…
wow! 10 kids! here in the Philippines because of a hard life only few parents can afford to raise that many kids. Well, thanks for your visit, nice knowing you.
You are blessed even at Bus Stop Flats. Loved that name.
I've done my fair share of seeking first stuff. Only to have it weigh me down.
Hugs from Colorado to you and yours,
Tiffany
What a wonderful journey. FAITH is ACTION!! Hugs!!
I'm so glad you finally did this trip! I remember you talking about it and planning how to blow Mark's brain. You are truly a thoughtful, loving and bless-er wife. I now you are a team and not perfect, but the substance shines through. You really have built your house upon the rock. Love it. Jode x
Hi, Sande!
This is priceless. who hasn't felt the effects of the dreaded minivan on their fragile psyche? Sounds like you guys had a great time. The key? Temporary. I think if that was real life, I would take it for granted and not enjoy it so much.
I love the bus stop. My bus should be so cool:)
Laura
Cool post, love the humor, but also the points you made. We do have to give up things for our kids, and as life progresses it never turns out as we expected. But seeking God first, and seeing Him give us what we need, that's great. Though sometimes I say to Him, "Um, how about sometimes giving us, you know, a little more than we need..?"