After Mass on Sunday we took a Sunday Drive. You know the kind. No plan. No destination. Just a lazy drive somewhere new. The kind where you have to pull aside to let the "real traffic" get around you. The drive was inspired by Father's homily.
He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:19-20
Father noted that they didn't have a plan, a map, a destination but still, they followed Christ. They didn't say "Yes! I want to follow you but can you come back next week when I have everything in order and I feel ready?"
I began to think of all the things I put before Christ. Each day I have a new opportunity to follow Him - wherever He may lead me and yet, like a bad waltzing partner, I keep trying to lead.
I want Him to follow me where I had planned to go.
My seven year old son, hearing Father's description of the Sunday Drive, whispered, "Can we do that today - right after church?" My husband and I grinned. Absolutely. How sweet to be able to say yes.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called to them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:21-22
We drove aimlessly, shouting with wonder as we spotted new wildlife, snapping photos from the van window. It may have been a simple Sunday Drive but it will remain a reminder to me to let holy inspiration guide me. To drop everything and follow Him.
I am the worst waltzing partner...always trying to lead! There was an article in a local paper recently that talked about the Blue Laws of ND - and life before Sunday shopping was allowed in ND. It truly was a different way of life on Sundays. Your description of being able to feel this freedom last Sunday reminds me of those quiet ND Sundays - the one day of the week where there was no hustle and bustle except for church traffic.
ReplyDeleteOf course, God was with you on your drive, and of course, it was meant to do something to you and your family. What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing. H2U
I love those drives. We used to take them often as children and I would get so annoyed with my parents for "wasting our time". With everything buzzing around us these days, how I yearn for a quiet drive where I don't have to take the lead. If only I would remember this and use it throughout my day. I wonder where God would have the same destinations as I do; laundry, bills, grocery shopping. Or would I find what you found on your drive if I played more with my kids (wildlife!) or sat and really listened to my husband instead of trying to multi-task every aspect of my life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to practice more "backseat driving". AmyS =)