Do you know where your parents are? - A lesson learned

So tonight I needed to check a date with my parents. I started calling and got no answer on home phone or cell phone. I called one of my sisters to ask if she knew where they were. My parents have an RV and often just go somewhere on the spur of the moment. She had been trying to call them all week and hadn't gotten them, but maybe one of my other sisters would know.

I then called sister number 2. She lives the closest to my parents. She didn't know where they were either. She drove by the house and it was all dark and it was clear no one was at home. So I then called sister number 3 and she didn't know either, but at least she had talked to them on Wednesday. By now I had talked to all 3 of my sisters in one evening. . . . and no one knew where they were. So we called my aunt and she didn't know either. They were not in any of their usual places and it was 9:30.

Finally about 9:45 I get this call from Dad who says I hear that the whole family is looking for me. It is the 4th Thursday of the month, Gideon meeting time. We should have known this.

When I hung up I had a good laugh. How silly I was to worry about them, how silly we all were. We were ready to call out the national guard. I remembered this public service announcement when I was in high school that had this phase "Do you know where your children are?' to encourage parents to be a part of their child's life. I also remembered once coming in 10 minutes past curfew and facing my father. It was not a pretty sight, ah poetic justice.

Now there are tears of joy because I have such a wonderful family. We all lead busy lives, even my parents. We just had this wonderful party for my mom's 80th birthday when we were all together at the same time. But even though we are busy and don't talk to each other every day, we are right there for each other the second there is a need. This isn't an accident or luck. I believe it is because my parents (and their parents before them) love Jesus and taught us to love Jesus with all of our lives.

Dear Father, thank you for all the lessons that I learned tonight. . . the value of family and the gift we have of each other. Teach me to trust more, knowing that we all rest in your hands and that you always know where we all are. Thank you for the promise that we will always be with you and together in the home that you have prepared for us. I love you Jesus.