Hey y’all, welcome to Rolling with Grammy! I’m so glad you’re here.
When I was a teenager, I told my dad, “When I’m older and have a family, I’m going to be the cool mom.”
Well…that didn’t exactly happen.
The Little Red Mustang
When I was 16 years old, I had a little red 1974 Mustang, My Memaw bought it for me for five hundred dollars and I paid her back. I thought I was all that.
That car fell apart all over Atlanta. This was before cell phones, so I found myself in some very scary situations on the side of the road with no way to call anybody. I was young and naive. All those breakdowns didn’t stop me from thinking I had one of the coolest little cars a teenage girl could have. I’m sure my guardian angel filed for overtime because of all the dangerous places I broke down in with that car.
I loved that car. Even though I could barely see over the steering wheel (I’m only 5’2” tall), it made me feel big. I remember telling my Dad I was going to be the cool mom with the cool car when I was older.
He just laughed and said, “We’ll see.”
The Official Homeschool Vehicle
When I started homeschooling my children back in the 90s, I found out there was an official homeschool vehicle, and it was the minivan. I was so excited! I thought, I’ll get my cool car later.
Later never came.
I am on minivan number four. We have driven each one of the previous minivans until they wouldn’t drive anymore. After minivan number three gave out, I drove a cute little orange Honda Fit for a few years until our third grandson came along. Now I’m right back to the minivan because it’s exactly what I need since I’m homeschooling all three of my grandsons. What else can you fit three car seats in and still have room for the groceries?
Well, Dad, if you're reading this, you were right. Somewhere along the way, I figured out that I didn’t end up the cool mom with the cool car. I ended up the mom with the sliding doors, the snack crumbs, and the three boys in the back. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
What the Minivan Taught Me
The Bible says, “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
I had a plan: a red Mustang and a cool-mom life. God had a different plan, and it had sliding doors.
My plan was about me looking cool. His plan was about me serving the people He put in my life. Four minivans later, I can tell you His plan was better.
That’s what “rolling with it” means to me. It isn’t giving up on plans or pretending the breakdowns don’t happen. It’s holding my plans loosely, trusting the One who directs my steps, and finding out that the life I ended up with is richer than the one I pictured.
Your Homework This Week
Think of one thing that didn’t go the way you planned. Then ask, “Lord, what are You doing in this?”
You might be surprised at what He shows you.
That’s what this space is about, friends: rolling with it, together.
I’m Grammy, and I’ll see you next time.
Your turn: What was the “cool” plan you had for your life that God changed? Tell me in the comments. I’d love to hear it.
Prefer to listen? Find the podcast version of this post on the Grammy School YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/D1L8M8hsr6g