Filed under: Messenger
Have you gotten used to writing 2010 yet? So far I haven’t reverted to 09, but I feel sure that some day, at an inopportune moment, it will sneak out of my pen when I am not paying attention and cause me grief.
It seems as though a lot of things have been sneaking up on me when I wasn’t paying attention. For example, our oldest granddaughter turned 20 last week and her sister got her driver’s license, little Luke overnight changed from a cuddly baby to a 2 ½ year old whose favorite sentence is, “I don’t want to,” and someone added extra steps to the basement staircase (but only on the “up” side). Then there is the fact that the pile of books I really want to read gets added to faster than I can read, and it’s hard to keep in touch with the teens in our family because I don’t text or have a Facebook page. Sigh. I am falling sadly behind the times.
There is a commercial on TV for an anti-aging cream that fills in the wrinkle lines and makes one look younger. I wonder if they sell it in gallon jugs. On the other hand, if I look so young, how will my grandchildren recognize that I have experience and wisdom? After all, I earned those wrinkles worrying about them and their parents before them. I have learned to trust God to handle things, but I help Him out with a little worrying when I am not paying attention to where my mind is wandering.
One of the advantages of being a grandparent is that I have time to just listen, time for hugs, and I don’t have to be responsible for fixing everything anymore. Oh sure, I fix zippers, mend tears in clothes and things like that, but I have learned I am not responsible for fixing people. I kiss “owies” and remind little ones that there is a reason for the no-running-in-the-house rule, but I can only pray they remember there are always consequences for rule-breaking when they grow up.
When it comes right down to it, I can offer suggestions (when asked), forgiveness when required, and love no matter what, but mostly I need to be wise enough to keep my mouth shut and my arms open wide, and I need to pray the prayer that never fails – “Thy will be done.” My reward may be a “Thanks for listening, Gramma,” or, best of all, a big hug and an “I wuv you!” when I least expect it.
Lord, thank You for always paying attention to my prayers and for answering them according to Your will and not necessarily mine. Thank You for not giving up on me anymore than I give up on those I love. I even thank You for the times when You are silent so I can practice being patient and trusting You. Most of all, thank You for my family and the lessons of love they continue to teach me. Help me to share You with them so they learn early in life to walk with You and grow in wisdom and grace. Amen.
