Intentional Time

As I was praying about this blog and how/when/what it should be I wondered about the name. Honestly it didn't take much time. See...this is what my mom often asked of me in the car, "A penny for your thoughts?" Honestly, as I grew older it used to drive me crazy. I didn't want to talk, I would often times just say "Fine" in response...but then she would let the air breathe and I would begin to share. This all could happen because as a little one, mom asked the same question, "A penny for your thoughts?" and I was like a little bubbling brook with so many things to tell her. For instance: I was sure that if I just sang loud enough while playing outside a big time producer in New York City would hear me and ask me to be the next Annie on Broadway. Or, that did you notice if you stare at the water on the window when it rains and we are driving it looks like the rain is dancing. Or, that my heart was broken again by kids making fun of me on the playground. Or....see as a little one there wasn't any need for a filter with mom...we just talked, but because she set the foundation in the early years as I grew older it wasn't an unusual question to hear.
It was all about her being/choosing to be intentional with her time with us in the car. See, my brother (Darren 3.5 yrs older) and I would spend what felt like countless hours in the car driving to and from all the "stuff" be it: ballet, church, soccer, piano, baseball, grocery stores, movies, malls....etc. We lived at least 30 min from any kind of shopping. We would go in town to get groceries, gas, shop and all activities were in town as well. We can full fill all Kansas stereotypes...I grew up across the street from a dairy farm. We had land, a huge garden, plenty of space to roam...but really far from "life" so we drove...and mom decided to be intentional. With my brother he is a brain. She would throw math equations to him and have him solve them in his head. With me that's where she taught me how to sing, and how to pray. The car with mom holds a VERY special place in my heart. I am actually tearing up as I type this.
What incredible lessons she taught me...to sing and to pray. To be vulnerable. To ask questions. She was willing through all of her fatigue of being a mom with kids to be intentional w/ the hour + time we would have in the car most days. I am sad to say I hardly think I am this intentional. Am I asking simple questions of my little ones now to pave the way for those harder questions later when I would ask my mom - "Why is it I am the only one choosing to be a virgin?" "Why is it all of my friends are drinking." "Why don't any boys want to date me" (as I had one guy in high school tell me if I would just learn how to party he would love to date me)...
I don't know that mom asked every day. I don't know that she was intentional every moment. But it was enough that I remember. It allowed me to ask those questions in a safe environment all because mom asked me..."A penny for your thoughts."
So my challenge to myself is to be intentional. Whether its in the car (I know I have time there) or at bed time (I know I have time...but I am tired and I want time for me...)....yet this is such a small short season...I am doing a good work and I can not come down from it! So perhaps I need to begin asking Caroline and Wyatt (Hope will get there soon)...A penny for your thoughts?