| Guest Post by Alisha Carlson |
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Spring is almost here and many families will be taking mini adventures. Whether you find your self staying home or going places, life is full of adventure.
Confession: I am not an adventure seeking, but I like adventure. You will never find me rock climbing, cliff jumping, or sleeping in a yurt on the side of a mountain. Anything that has to do with heights is a definite no. I love going places, experiencing new things, new cultures, meeting new people, and I can be a little adventurous with trying new foods. With the exception of things like octopus or bugs, I’m game at least once.
But I the queen of Mom & Kid Adventures.
I love exploring and trying something out of our “norm” and watching my children learn, see and try new things. I want them to experience the world. To take in all the beauty and marvel of what God has created. To not be afraid to try something different.
It’s nothing for the boys and I to hop on a train from our suburb and head into downtown Chicago to walk the streets looking at buildings, take in a museum, or find a lunch spot that overlooks the river.
It’s not a huge or risky adventure, but it is different from our daily routine. We never know what we may experience along the way, but that’s part of the fun.
When my husband is with us we call it a “Family Adventure” as all five of us of get to spend quality time together. On a local scale, we’ll sit amongst a hippy-ish fire twirling, drum beating crowd in a park by Lake Michigan. Our dinner is whatever the food truck is offering. Or sometimes we’ll explore streets a little off the beaten path on our way to our next adventuresome location.
My husband’s true love for adventure is displayed on vacation. While I’m content with my toes in the sand and listening to the roar of the ocean crashing onto the beach, my hubby prefers things like hiking a path through the desert to a palm tree oasis secretly nestled in a valley between two mountains. (It was a long, but amazing trek!)
Yes, it’s an exciting adventurous life. Not one of danger, but adventure. Still it is a life that many may not find in their comfort zone to live.
Did you know that God has called us to live a life of adventure? Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
When we go to Him with an open heart and trust him to guide us, he will take us on an amazing adventure that will change who we are, change how we see the world around us, and that may take us beyond our comfort zone.
Where God leads you, follow with childlike faith. Take confidence knowing that when you trust in him, when you lean into him, he will take you on an adventure far more fulfilling and incredible than you could ever imagine.
Go. Take God’s hand. Be brave. And live an adventurous life!
Alisha Carlson, her three energetic elementary aged boys, hubby and guinea pig live in suburbs of Chicago. When she’s not writing, enjoying an afternoon with friends or redecorating their home, you’ll find her teaching a Zumba class or on an “adventure” with her family. Founder of Makeovers & Motherhood and contributor at Ruth & Patrick Schwenk’s blog, For the Family, Alisha’s focus is on encouraging moms to live their best life. You can connect with her, laugh with her, dig into hard truths together, be encouraged by God’s word, and mom hack the beautiful mess of motherhood together at makeoversandmotherhood.com or on Facebook!