It’s summer break from school which means that we, like many families, had the opportunity to travel, see new sights, and visit loved ones who live outside of Southern California. In June and July we packed the car with luggage, audio books, and the kids for travels to Northern California, Nevada, Utah, and Montana. We visited family and also met with prospective churches in need of a pastor. If you know anything about road trips with young children, you are aware that extended miles for little ones who are confined to a car seat prove difficult to endure. Armed with coloring books, DVDs, snacks, and games, we have become professional road trippers and our kids are outstanding travelers for their age. Yet despite our expertise, the question that every parent hears from the back seats of vehicles all over the nation’s interstates is also incessantly heard in our car:
“Are we there yet?”
No answer will satisfy the curiosity of this question, especially when it’s asked with 500 miles of travel remaining ahead. It’s a question that’s strikingly familiar in my own mind. It’s the same question we ask as adults when we journey through life and particularly when we navigate big decisions and major transitions. Jolene and I have found ourselves wondering, ‘are we there yet?’ as we interview with church search teams and prayerfully wait on God to respond with a clear destination. Currently, we have search teams interested in us in Northern California, Nevada, and Washington. There are literally hundreds of applicants for just one pastoral position so the process is tedious for both the local churches and pastoral candidates. As we actively continue searching, we trust God and His timing and are incredibly grateful for the prayer and support from all of you in this adventurous road trip of our lives.
And now I certainly have much more empathy when my kids ask how close we are to arriving at our destination.
Daniel Flores Jr. 