The Spirituality of Ice Cream Trucks

Megan Cottam shares her gratitude for the simple and spontaneous moments of summer that bring her family closer to God. 

“Mommy, would you really let us wash your car?!” 

I felt a bit manipulative as I “allowed” my children to get into their bathing suits to help me wash the pollen- and dust-ridden vehicle. However, with a 9- and 6-year-old in tow, we’ve reached a new age when household tasks become exciting adventures when the whole family participates. A bit of dish soap, some old rags, and a garden hose sure beats the cost of most summer activities, so without hesitation, the car-washing process began.

Technically, the car did get washed. Was it scrubbed from top to bottom in an orderly fashion? Of course not. Were there missed spots, including most of the surface above my children’s reach? Certainly. Did it take longer? About three times longer than if I had done it myself. However, in addition to the vehicles, we also soaked one another with suds and hoses, out of breath from laughter and silliness. I tried my hardest to avoid the thought in my head that said I should re-wash any particular spot, and focused on gratitude for the glee that marked that afternoon. 

“Mommy, CAN YOU HEAR IT?!” 

The catchy melody played faintly at first throughout the neighborhood, then louder as it approached our street. It is a sound that can elicit mixed emotions from parents depending on the moment of its intrusion. It's hard for me to forego my attempt for structure, healthiness, dinner-before-treats philosophy, or anything else I planned for the evening. 

Feeling generous, I relent, abandoning the half-set table for the lure of cool popsicles on a hot evening. The arrival of the ice cream truck not only brings treats, but also the appearance of the neighbors I’ve been passing back and forth in a flurry of organized living. Popsicles lead to bicycle riding with friends and catching up on the local community headlines. Fireflies appear, the dinner gets scrapped for something quick and functional, and the rest of the evening is surrendered to the play of the cul-de-sac. 

Made for Joy 

Are these moments interruptions or meant to be? 

The spirituality of the summer has something to teach me: Joy is not in your plans. Joy IS the plan. 

Has your planning for joy ever prevented actual joy? As a full-fledged Type-A Mama, I am certainly guilty. I have admittedly answered my children’s request for play with the need to complete tasks — not anything urgent, but simply because that was the plan for today and I had not wanted to surrender it. Meanwhile, I am missing out on opportunities like hose wars and ice cream community fellowship because I am stubborn enough to think I have the best plan for my day and my family. 

My children do not care what activity we are doing, how extravagant the vacation is, or even how epic their summer camp lineup appears. They want my company, my undivided attention, and my joy. Furthermore, when the hear the musical notes of an ice cream truck or see an opportunity for play in a routine household chore, they are willing to drop everything and run toward it, fully focused on embracing the moment. 

A Spontaneous Heart is an Open Heart  

The modern parent can often master an impressive juggling of schedules, emails, commitments, and projects in any given week. We have to-do apps, calendar-apps, whiteboards, and alarms at every turn helping us to automate the frenzy. 

Yet, as I watch my children cover themselves in sugar-stickiness, I realize: the to-do lists and planned activities aren’t for them as much as for my ill-conceived ideas of being put-together. What they need is me to put down the to-do list and get soaked, sticky, and silly with them. I laugh as I realize that this is what God asks of me, too. Can I learn to surrender to the spontaneous ways He seeks to enter my life as well? Am I too overscheduled and overstructured to let His grace in?  

May summer teach us to remain open to spontaneous opportunities that bring us closer to our families, and always closer to Him. Where can we get started? For me, I say yes to the ice cream truck, and in that plot twist, I offer my family’s prayer of joy to our Lord, Who wills joy for our lives. 

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Copyright 2024 Megan Cottam
Images: Canva