What do you do when you have three kids, your mother, tons of luggage and some caterpillars stuck on I-35 for 45 minutes in traffic? You just pray for some evidence of the fruit of the Spirit because otherwise, it just wouldn't be pretty. And when it happens four times between Shawnee and Waco, Texas? Well you better just keep praying....and get chocolate. It really was kind of entertaining to peer into the cars of the people literally losing their minds all around you. One car kept swerving all over the microcosm of space he had on the road to, I guess, prove that he could still move his car if that's his prerogative. It's so funny to see all the personalities emerge in bumper-to-bumper traffic (well it's funny if you're not the swervy guy or anywhere near him). Some people are just peacefully resigned to the fate of the highway powers-that-be who decided spring break was a lovely time to merge all traffic to one lane for like 250 feet of road work, while playing on their phones or watching the world go by through open windows. Some look like they would rather be receiving an un-anethestised root canal. Others literally knock days off their life expectancy with all the strain they put on their heart trying not to totally lose their marbles. And if you're attempting to give gratitude in all things? You just visit with your mother, patiently answer the million-dollar-question-from-the-back seat, "When are we going to get there?", and well, eat chocolate. You also remember that God is in control of all things, even highway traffic, and you thank Him for the car you are driving (or rather sitting in), His traveling mercies, the voices from the backseat, in-car video systems, the destination that you will eventually reach under His will, and the cocoa bean!
Oh for those of you who are still stuck on the caterpillars- we received six little caterpillars the day before we left for vacation in order to watch the joyous process of the life-cycle of the painted lady butterfly. Obviously we would miss some rather key parts of that extremely short life cycle if they were left at home, so to Waco they went! They didn't seem too bothered by the traffic.
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