Grandpa John

I had a dream last night.

My mother’s father was in it.

He smiled big, laughed with joy, and hugged me tight.

My husband and our children and grandchildren were there, too.

I was so excited to introduce each one to him.

But before I did Grandpa just kept one arm around me and looked into my face.

We were both enjoying getting to see one another.

Then, with a smile, he spoke, “You know, you are a real beauty.”

This caught me by surprise.

It also made me feel treasured.

I smiled back.

“Grandpa, of course you would think so. I look like my mother, your daughter, and she looks like her mother, Grandma Ruth.”

He laughed and squeezed me.

I went on to introduce him to our family.

When I awoke this morning, my heart felt rosy with love.

Because I didn’t grow up with grandparents.

My mother’s family are from Michigan and we’ve always lived on the West coast.

My father’s mother died when I was four, I have no memory of her.

My father’s father traveled a great deal and I can’t remember a single conversation he ever had with me.

He died when I was in highschool.

So, this dream was sweet for me.

Although, my memories of my mother’s father are fuzzy and less than the fingers on one hand, I remember him laughing and hugging me.

I was pretty small, small enough to sit on his knee.

But last night’s dream brought me a new gift.

I know it’s from God.

If I can feel blessed by a dream of my Grandfather’s kind words, what an impact my words can have in real life to those I love!

My grandchildren (I love saying that!) are an incredible opportunity.

To love them for Jesus, to teach them about God’s Word, what a wonderful heritage!

The same is true for my own children.

To love them daily, to make sure I am speaking words of encouragement.

To lovingly speak words of truth, and to stir up righteousness in them.

To pray for each one, lifting them before the Lord, that I might be centered on Christ’s will for them instead of my own ideas.

The legacy I can pass on does require being purposeful.

To be open to the LORD’s leading in the day-to-day things so I don’t plant weeds but seeds of life.

But I can’t think of anything more worthwhile than leaving a legacy of following Jesus.

I praise God for this dream of my grandfather.

It has reminded me of my value to Jesus and my opportunity to value others.

Our soul waits for the Lord ; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Psalms 33:20‭-‬21 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for this encouragement. Thank You for reminding me of the truth, that I can pour into others as You pour into me. Lord, thank You for loving me more than any person on Earth, because it is in You I find myself, a child of God. Lord Jesus, please help my husband and I to be honorable parents and grandparents. Help us to live with integrity and humility. Please shine through us into those around us and our loved ones. Thank You so much for placing us near our grandchildren. We are so blessed to be a part of their lives and the lives of our children. Lord Jesus, may we bring honor and glory to Your name. Amen.

Sprinkles

Psalm 24:1 “The Earth is the LORD’s and all it’s fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.”

I love this verse.

“…and those who dwell therein.”

Every person belongs to God.

I belong to God.

Last night I had a special reminder of how much He loves each and every one who dwell therein.

It was a dream.

Most of it, I can’t remember.

I do recall standing and talking with the Lord.

There were all kinds of food on a table.

I was trying to ask Him what I should eat.

He said, Sprinkles, you like the ones with sprinkles.

I looked at the bagels, many different flavors and types.

Without looking at the Lord I replied, “I don’t like bagels with sprinkles.”

Not bagels, donuts.

I woke up.

Suddenly the memory came back.

When I was a small child donuts were one of the few sweets we had often.

My favorite were chocolate with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.

But sometimes I couldn’t get a chocolate donut, so I’d choose one with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.

Sometimes, I couldn’t get chocolate frosting, but I always wanted sprinkles.

My favorite were the multi-colored ones.

They reminded me of rainbows and crayons and art.

What wonderful pictures could be made with all those colors!

Colors in general were exciting, and colors combined with sugar!

Somehow, multi-colored sprinkles were so fun!

With these recollections came a deep sense of awe and love.

Awe of God’s incredible detail.

He has never forgotten the little girl who loved sprinkles on her donuts.

Even though, I had.

If He loves me so much as to remind me of a tiny detail, how can I ever doubt His love in my day, my life, my family, or my future?

How fitting the verses I read this morning.

Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:4 NKJV

I can’t remember the last donut I’ve eaten.

I know it would have been purchased by my sweet husband.

(Who buys them now and then ever since I told him how much I like them.)

I can say, the next one I eat will taste sweeter than any before it.

It will be a precious reminder of my Lord and Savior.

A beautiful picture of God’s incredible love for me.

It will also have multi-colored sprinkles.