Thriving while Driving

A good portion of my life right now happens from the driver’s seat.

There are days when it feels like I’m running a small mobile office and a taxi service. I take phone calls, think through to-do lists, mentally plan dinner, remember errands I need to run later, and try to squeeze productivity out of every red light and parking lot.

Some days the taxi-cab part of motherhood feels like a wasted day. Back and forth. Drop off. Pick up. Parking lot phone scrolling and writing lists. Repeat.

But then one of them hops in the car, and suddenly the whole day changes.

One of them gets off the bus with a story they can’t wait to tell or runs out of practice hot and sweaty with a compliment from the coach. Sometimes they climb in and bring extra kids with them or immediately say, “Hey Mom, can we go do this?”—something completely unplanned that turns the afternoon in a different direction.

In those moments I am reminded of something really important.

This is living.

My life is built around theirs right now. And when they’re thriving—when they’re laughing, learning, growing, chasing something they’re excited about—I realize that their joy is not stealing my life.....

It is my life.

They’re living their best life and when that's true, I’m living mine.

I grew up the same way....  My parents sacrificed everything for us. We always came first. I never felt like I was missing anything. Looking back now, I realize how much of their time, their schedule, and their energy was spent making sure we had what we needed ..... And much of what we wanted. I'm sure that I was just as oblivious then as it seems my children are now.... But, "Mom and Dad, thank you!" 

When I look at our calendar now—full of practices, school events, trips, and summer plans that are already filling up our days before we’ve even finished the fourth quarter of school—I sometimes catch myself thinking, where did the time go?

But the truth is… it didn’t go anywhere.

It’s right here.

Being planned.

Being prepared.

Being lived. 

Being shaped into another season where they’ll have memories and moments that might one day turn into their own stories of “the best day ever.”

The more I think about this, the more it reminded me about the way God loves us.

Scripture tells us that heaven celebrates when even one person turns toward Him.

“There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

— Luke 15:10

Think about that for a moment.

Heaven rejoices over us.

God delights in His people.

The Bible even says we are His workmanship—His masterpiece.

“For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

— Ephesians 2:10

Another translation says His workmanship, but the meaning is the same. Something carefully made. Something intentionally created.

When I think about that, I realize something about the heart of a parent.

When our kids are thriving, we feel it too. When they succeed, we celebrate. When they laugh, we feel lighter. When they run toward something good, our hearts run with them.

Their joy becomes our joy.

Now of course, we’re human parents. Imperfect. Tired. Sometimes impatient.

But God is the perfect Father.

His love for us isn’t based on how productive we are, or how perfect we are, or whether we’ve had a “good day.” Our mistakes don’t cancel His love. Our wandering doesn’t erase our place in His heart.

The Bible describes Him this way:

“...He will take great delight in you;

in His love He will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.”

— Zephaniah 3:17

He rejoices over us.

That verse has always amazed me.

God doesn’t just tolerate His children.

He delights in them.

In the Bible-in-a-year plan I'm doing, the teacher ends each daily reflection with the phrase: “He’s where the joy is.”

Today in another parking lot, that landed differently. If I’m meant to reflect the heart of my Heavenly Father in the way I parent my children, then maybe part of that calling is becoming a place where joy lives for them too. Not flawlessly, but consistently.

A place where they know they are loved.

A place where their victories are celebrated.

A place where their lives matter enough for someone to keep showing up in the parking lot.

So yes—some days I’m the family taxi.

But when they jump in the car with stories, laughter, and sweaty sport bags… I’m going to try to remember that this season isn’t passing me by, it’s exactly where I’m meant to be! It's what I prayed for years ago. 

They’re living their best life! In the middle of all the driving and planning and waiting… so am I. 

Where in your life might joy be hiding in the responsibilities that sometimes feel ordinary, time consuming, or exhausting?

Lord, thank You for the gift of loving people deeply. Help me see the joy in the seasons that require sacrifice and patience. Teach me to reflect Your heart as a parent—celebrating the lives You’ve entrusted to me and remembering that joy lives in the everyday moments. Amen.

Until next time, keep following the Plott, and I will be praying for us all. 💛