
The feel of baby powder and an infant's smile; tiny hands wrapped around our fingers. The sound of excitement as the oldest jumps into my arms and the granddaughter runs to hug my leg. This pleasant surprise visit to them and they are enraptured with Grandma and Grandpa's love. How beautiful a picture if we could only do the same with our Abba Father in Heaven! To run expectantly and confidently into His awaiting arms; to know that we are His Beloved Children and in that moment to know that all is well. Although our weekend visits to see the children and grandchildren are too short and cannot last, our Father is always there constantly loving us in a more real and profound way than we can even imagine. Oh, to be lost in His love and Constant Presence and know that it is not just a limited visit.
Waking up to the sounds of children stirring, requests for something to eat for breakfast and for us to play with or read to them, we are in our element with the grandchildren. Holding the baby while the other two want a place to sit with us as well, is a special moment. "Watch me" they say as we turn to see what acrobatic performance is next. These noises are frequent at their house and the contrast between there and home are very apparent. In a few days we are back home and the house is quiet. No children playing, screeching or giggling, just the memories we have made with them on our last visit. Their laughter is good for our souls as we come back home to the work days we know so well. Before long we will miss them and go running back to visit and enjoy some more of the sights and sounds of their world.
A world of endless potential lies within the hearts of our children. We pray for them all (kids and grandkids) to know how He loves them and that they catch a glimpse of that in our love for them. From birth to adulthood there are many choices along the way that will form and shape them. Factors like parenting and a stable home environment will profoundly affect their internal security. With affirmation and confidence in their parent's love, they will display the character of a leader and may become so. Combine this with a well-defined sense of the Heavenly Father's Love for them and they will display a confident Hope and Trust found only in Him. But navigating the inevitable discipline of children can be tough and the fact that we have to be mindful of our approach towards them can be challenging. But the rough waters of discipline are quickly forgotten as wisdom provided carries us forward to the next activity these young ones have on their minds.
Spending quality time with our children lets them know how loved and cared for they are and few have the time to do so like a grandma and grandpa. Children may view us in a different light than their own parents, but how little they know of the working adult world. They do not understand that work and bills can zap us as parents of some of the energy needed to exert with them. But it is the kind of availability grandparents provide, that we all crave in our relationship with our Father God. I am so thankful that He always has the time to notice me. He is attentive to my requests and watches me as I play, work and dream. He is Faithful when I am not. He is Loving, when I choose not to be. He is Forgiving when I need Him to be. He always has time for me, and never lets me feel as if there are more important things on His mind. This kind of Love will not Disappoint. It is rare for any of us to have this kind of Patience, Love and Understanding down here. I think this is part of why He Loves us the way He does. He knows that we need it!
The smell of shampoo and baby powder combined with the smile of a freshly changed infant, gives us joy. The kids are fine and the grandkids are loved and they know it. A great place for all of us to be. Known and Loved by our Abba, Father.
Waking up to the sounds of children stirring, requests for something to eat for breakfast and for us to play with or read to them, we are in our element with the grandchildren. Holding the baby while the other two want a place to sit with us as well, is a special moment. "Watch me" they say as we turn to see what acrobatic performance is next. These noises are frequent at their house and the contrast between there and home are very apparent. In a few days we are back home and the house is quiet. No children playing, screeching or giggling, just the memories we have made with them on our last visit. Their laughter is good for our souls as we come back home to the work days we know so well. Before long we will miss them and go running back to visit and enjoy some more of the sights and sounds of their world.
A world of endless potential lies within the hearts of our children. We pray for them all (kids and grandkids) to know how He loves them and that they catch a glimpse of that in our love for them. From birth to adulthood there are many choices along the way that will form and shape them. Factors like parenting and a stable home environment will profoundly affect their internal security. With affirmation and confidence in their parent's love, they will display the character of a leader and may become so. Combine this with a well-defined sense of the Heavenly Father's Love for them and they will display a confident Hope and Trust found only in Him. But navigating the inevitable discipline of children can be tough and the fact that we have to be mindful of our approach towards them can be challenging. But the rough waters of discipline are quickly forgotten as wisdom provided carries us forward to the next activity these young ones have on their minds.
Spending quality time with our children lets them know how loved and cared for they are and few have the time to do so like a grandma and grandpa. Children may view us in a different light than their own parents, but how little they know of the working adult world. They do not understand that work and bills can zap us as parents of some of the energy needed to exert with them. But it is the kind of availability grandparents provide, that we all crave in our relationship with our Father God. I am so thankful that He always has the time to notice me. He is attentive to my requests and watches me as I play, work and dream. He is Faithful when I am not. He is Loving, when I choose not to be. He is Forgiving when I need Him to be. He always has time for me, and never lets me feel as if there are more important things on His mind. This kind of Love will not Disappoint. It is rare for any of us to have this kind of Patience, Love and Understanding down here. I think this is part of why He Loves us the way He does. He knows that we need it!
The smell of shampoo and baby powder combined with the smile of a freshly changed infant, gives us joy. The kids are fine and the grandkids are loved and they know it. A great place for all of us to be. Known and Loved by our Abba, Father.