The Van

My mom used to own a green, Ford Windstar mini-van when I was in Elementary school. We were high rollers, we Nickles. That vehicle was the bane of my family's existence. When my parents bought it, it was awesome, do not get me wrong. A sliding door, and air conditioning controls in the back, you would have thought we had won the lottery. It was NOTHING compared to the awesome high-tech vans all of you mamas are driving now.  My parents bought it a few months before my brother, Wilson, was born. Before our quiet, pink and dainty life as we knew it, was forever filled with mud, blood, drums and so much fun.

 But quickly, the van depreciated, it had been thrown up in (multiple times), my toddler brother's milk had soured, and probably every beverage between apple juice, coke, coffee and milk had been spilt. Crumbs had been stepped on, dogs had been transported, vitamins hidden between the seats, (my younger sister hated taking her Flintstones vitamins. She daily hid them in the seats of the van) body paint from swim team had stained the leather, and eventually... we learned just how much pressure to use when sliding the van door closed... without "driving mom crazy". We only had it for about 6 years before the transmission blew but... I have some hysterical, sad and weird memories in that van.

This is a brief one, but has been used for multiple teaching illustrations.

We were invited to dinner at a family friend's house, a couple who had no children.  I was 10, my sister Laura Coleman was 7, and Wilson was 2. We got to this couple's home in which was decorated beautifully, had lots of bedrooms, and I'm sure we were basically escorted out once the last bite was eaten. We were all over the place- and it's what I love about my childhood.

My siblings, parents and I piled into the van. We were probably being scolded about our behavior and the wrestling that had taken place. Whatever. As we were backing out of their elegantly paved and beautifully gardened driveway, a car flew behind us on the street, causing my dad to slam on the breaks quickly. The kind of break pumping that makes your heart start beating really fast. And out of my 2 year old brother's mouth, he says.... "What the hell was that?!"

Hmmm... wonder where in the world he had heard that kind of language? The poor child being the youngest had VERY little screen time because majority of his childhood was spent at our games, practices, or in that green mini-van. He had heard that from my parents. But, let me tell you, I had MAYBE heard my parents use that kind of language twice. They by no means use foul language often, but in those moments when the milk had spilt, paint had stained, or food smushed, I'm sure we had heard a not-so-great word fly. But, it's a great point for me:

YOUR kids literally are mimicking your every move, word, and action. How can you, as parents, grandparents and even older siblings, use your life to model Christ's love. AND when something slips out of your mouth, how do you use it as a teaching moment? How do you put your flaws on display to teach your children the grace of the Gospel?

We are beginning a new Sunday school class THIS SUNDAY to address all of these questions! I am so excited to begin teaching about Family Ministry, this really is where I am most passionate. Equipping all of you to be confident in teaching your children about Christ. It's a hard job- but the church is coming alongside of you to help you! Even if you aren't typically "Sunday School people", this will begin to equip you in nurturing your child's relationship with Jesus. Just give me 4 weeks.

Join me this Sunday at 9:30 in room 206 so we can dive in together! 

PS- Sorry Mom and Dad for exposing some Nickles' family secrets. No reflection on y'all, of course.