Travis Agnew is now the proud owner of a minivan.
It is true. If it makes it to Facebook status, you know it is legit. I traded in my truck and got a minivan last night in Gainesville, GA. Amanda had a great find, so I went looking for it, went through some negotiations, signed on the dotted line, ate at Krystal, and got home at 11pm.
With the second bambino on the way, we knew we needed some more space. As we went back and forth concerning what to get, we decided to get a minivan.
When you tell someone you are getting a minivan, the responses are one of two things: 1) excitement, 2) disgust. Many people make fun of young adults when they get a minivan like they have reached some uncool status in life where everything goes downhill.
I asked someone this question the other day: “What does a minivan represent in one word?” The word that most people answer with: family.
I had a single guy tell me a few weeks ago as I went to change a diaper, “You are so married now. You are like a real family man.” The tone of his voice was patronizing. He sounded like he was thankful not to be in that stage of life yet.
To set the record straight, I believe the Bible, and I believe it when God inspired the psalmist to write, “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth, How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them” (Psalm 127:3-5).
Minivans are the scriptural vehicles of choice. The more seats means the more room to transport kids – and that is a huge blessing.
I love children. I have never been more joyful in life than I am right now.
So if you drive a minivan, drive it proudly. For all you minivan drivers out there, sit in your captain’s chair with dignity. Put your kids’ toys in your K-Mart baskets. Use your grocery hooks in the back with honor. Fold and unfold all the extra seating simply because you can. Pump up the nursery rhymes CD as you drive with the windows down. Watch your kids giggle at the Baby Einstein DVD in the rear view mirror. Fit your entire neighborhood into the van since there are enough seats. And whatever you do, never ever look at the blessing of God with disdain. Children are a gift.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
That's so exciting, Travis and Amanda! You should have heard people this spring when we had to get a 15-passenger van. Since 2 of our foster daughters left, we mostly drive our Astro to save gas, but we're looking forward to the Lord filling our quiver in the future. (PS- the bigger the car, the better… we can separate the "fussers" so they don't bother each other :).) And if the Lord doesn't see fit to give us more children, then we'll have room for friends!