Wow.

We had a near miss with the van last week. Jeffrey came out and hid under the van as I was rushing to leave somewhere. I heard his voice but couldn't see him. I had one of those times when I knew I better stop and check things out. Sure enough, Jeffrey hopped out from under the van with his big smile. I had to go but took him inside and asked Rich to help him understand why that was so dangerous. Rich used the analogy of what happens when you step on a grape, which is a good one for a 4 year old. Graphic, I know, but I believe it sobered him into listening. When I knelt down to say my prayer that night, the realization of what might have happened really hit me. I felt so grateful for that still, small voice that told me to stop, and also that I listened. So many times I question my feelings. So many times I just plow forward with what I was doing, anyway. I suppose I listened because I knew it had to do with one of my children. That's a whole different thing, isn't it? Or maybe it was stronger this time. I am just so grateful that, in this challenging and fast-paced endeavor of raising this family, we are not on our own.