It seems like it is the right time for a perspective of our ‘travels with grandkids’, now that all are back and safe. For more than two weeks we logged nearly 4000 miles. We drove through or visited 10 states, spent 6 nights in motel rooms and 8 days digging dinosaurs. Some of the historical or monumental spots we visited were, the St. Louis Arch, the grave site of Sargent Floyd (the only person to die during the Lewis and Clark expedition), the Corn Palace, Scotts Bluff, Chimney Rock, the Dino Museum in Hill City, SD and the Oglala National Grasslands in Nebraska. We saw flooding rivers all along the way that were so bad our travels had to be detoured just to get around them and our prayers went out to those suffering through such terrors. We skirted around a high plain ‘super cell’ that was filled with awesome power and beauty. But what we did the most was experience what the USA is all about, diversity of both land and of people. We did this while sharing the confined space of our rental SUV with our young grandkids.
Looking back on it now, I see for the most part, they are good kids but there were moments. Sometimes their infectious joy would lead to raucous laughter. Sometimes their lack of interest in the sites and beauty of the country we were traveling through was frustrating. We wanted so much for them to experience and see everything, to know the greatness of our land is still there to be absorbed. Instead their phones held their interest in ways that amazed us. I could only shake my head and pray that some of what we experienced was taken in by osmosis, if nothing else.
I know for RuthAnn and myself the trip was transforming and renewing. Of course, as I wrote about in an earlier blog the ‘dino’ experience was inspiring, filled with people living and working for the glory of God. But beyond that there was this huge, ever changing country where if you look beyond the concrete thoroughfares and fast food environs you can still see the majesty that displays the handiwork of God.
Driving through the Oglala Grasslands while a dark and ominous super cell spun ever so close. The clouds rising thousands of feet, colored from white to grey to black, swirling in cyclonic motion. Lightning flashing and powerful winds blowing the pristine green grasses of the high prairie in all directions. I could imagine how the Psalmist wrote: “They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty- and I will meditate on your wonderful works.” (Psalm 145:5)
Earlier when we looked out from the high point where Sargent Floyd’s memorial stands, we saw the massive power of the Missouri River now overflowing its banks. There was no doubt that those in its path were feeling the pain of its might. It made me think, again, how glad I am to know that: “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)
We saw so many things. Some so beautiful it brought us to tears, like the high plains and the majestic Black Hills. Other things like the poverty of the cities we drove through was ugly. We shared as much of this reality with our grandkids as we could hoping it would break into the social media world, they live in that has so little reality either beautiful or ugly. It is our prayer that some seeds were planted and as they take root that these words of God will become a reality: “Make me know Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.” (Psalm 25: 4-5)
So, for a short time we were home. But within a few days we were on the move again. There is a wedding taking place in Maryland near Washington DC. So RuthAnn and I loaded up the car and took off. It was just us this time and the car seemed a little empty after our travels with grandkids. We take heart that there will be other adventures ahead. But I don’t think there will ever be a trip quite like the one just finished. We started out with trepidation unsure if we would be able to handle two weeks with teenagers, but it ended up being more blessed than either of us could have imagined. God is so good…all the time! And all the time…God is so good!
Blessings and Happy Sabbath
John
6/14/19
