Bubba and Faye

Being a Grammy has been more fun than I could ever have imagined.

My husband can tell you I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time.

As a teen I used to say, “I can’t wait to be that sweet grey-haired old lady who gives out cookies to kids.”

I’ve learned a great deal since my teen years about being an adult and dealing with children.

Parenthood taught me a lot and I’m still learning daily.

Now as a Grammy I’m learning more.

Proper boundaries are super important.

My husband and I value our daughter and son-in-law too much to purposely ignore their “do”s and”don’t”s.

We have enjoyed getting to watch them teach Faye things.

I’ve also enjoyed sharing moments with her as a Grammy.

Something we’ve done, since the weather has allowed, is go outside and pet the plants.

It might sound strange, but I wanted her to be safe.

Before she was old enough to understand this lesson, she got a handful of my potted indoor plant and jerked out a large section.

I didn’t mind the damage to the plant, but it brought to my attention the need for her to learn what is okay and not.

Since both her parents had taught her the word gentle and it’s meaning, I thought she’d be able to put it into practice in the garden.

After all, little people often put what is in their hands in their mouths and many plants are not for eating.

So, she went on many garden walks with me and knows how to handle the plants.

She gently touches them, sometimes over and over with her little fingers very carefully.

She has pulled a few blooms off now and again, but each time is another opportunity to instill in her how to touch without harm.

So, I was extra blessed when we got to see her with Bubba.

Her little hand reached out to explore this new sibling and her momma cautioned, “Gentle.”

Softly, like on a rose petal her hand touched her brother.

Then she let go.

All of us made all kinds of happy noise as her little pink lips placed a gentle kiss on him.

It was adorable!

I’m already praying for their relationship as brother and sister.

I pray they will love and support each other.

That they will look out for the other’s best interest.

That they will grow to be great friends.

Most importantly, that they will know Jesus and put their trust in Him.

That they will encourage one another in righteousness.

What a wonderful gift God gives when He blesses a family with a child!

Truly they are precious in the eyes of the Lord.

Psalm 127:3 KJV — Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Matthew 18:10 KJV — Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for children. What an incredible blessing it is to be with them. Lord, often it can be difficult to know what to teach and what to let go of. Sometimes our own desires get in the way of hearing from You as to what is best. Please help our children be wonderful godly parents. Please help us to be parents of integrity, truth, and love. Lord, help us know how to support our children as they support the little ones. Please help us to not grow weary in doing good as we have fewer children at home. Please help us to finish well. Thank You so much for these blessings. May we honor You in all we do. Amen.

The mirror

I love these tulips.

It doesn’t take long for people to realize I love flowers and pink is my favorite color.

I don’t wear it constantly, but I’m not quiet about my preference.

Some things about myself are so easy to see.

Other things are more complicated.

Infact the Lord used a tiny passing moment to teach me this week.

I’d been at work and when I walked in the house, one of my kids looked at me and asked something I hadn’t expected.

“What is on your face?”

Before I could respond or look in a mirror another child answered for me.

“It’s a pimple.”

“Oh”

Then both went back to their studies.

I went to find a mirror.

It was the next day when the moment returned to my mind and then I thought of a Veggie Tales show where Queen Blueberry is trying to manipulate her circumstances.

An evil mirror keeps encouraging her to wrong those around her all the while manipulating her for his own purposes.

One of the things which happens in the story reveals a wonderful truth.

As the queen wrongs others her outward appearance reflects the ugliness of her heart.

She’s covered in pimples, as well as other unbecoming facial things, yet the wicked mirror shows her getting more and more lovely.

It’s an excellent lesson.

When we choose to live for ourselves,

when we use those around us,

our hearts are being marred.

Yet, when walking in those things it is often with blindness.

To see ourselves outwardly we need a mirror.

To see ourselves inwardly we need Jesus and His Word.

Just like I was unaware of the blemish on my face, I have been unaware of blemishes on my character.

It has taken Christ to reveal my heart.

Often, He uses the difficult things in my life as a reflection of my heart.

Then He draws me to His Word that the blemish might be removed.

Jesus has shown me so many things about my heart in these months.

And He isn’t finished.

And I’m so thankful for the mirror.

I’d much rather Jesus show me my faults and failings than for me to walk in pride and haughtiness.

There’s even an example in scripture of a life of pride.

Jezebel.

She had manipulation down to a fine art.

Yet it cost her everything she was trying to hold on to.

If only she had paid attention to the inward beauty and learned to be humble, gentle, and loving.

I never want to be Jezebel.

Praise God for His mercy and patience.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!

Thank You, Jesus for the mirror.

A gentle heart

Every child is a special gift.

Every person has a unique calling.

Every human was created individually by God.

To each of us He gives a different blend of strengths and talents.

A gentle heart is one of the gifts He gave our Beth.

I was up very early this morning, because with the cold and snow our house is dependent on the wood heat.

When I awoke, I could tell our fire had died down.

Thankfully, I was able to get a new fire warming up the house before long.

For no reason in particular, I decided to go back to bed and the next thing I know, I’m blessed by breakfast.

(Beth would be unhappy with me if I let you think all she fed me was toast, fruit, and tea. I took the picture before she brought in the eggs and another plate of fruit.)

One of my favorite memories of our Beth is when she was on the door step of two years old.

Jase was a newborn and needed a change.

I laid him down and began to undress him.

Beth suddenly emerged from the bedroom with the wipes.

She had seen and understood my task and had rushed to help.

She’s still like that.

Her birthday is Christmas day.

(I was overdue ten days and scheduled to induce on the 26th.)

So as her gift to our family she cooked a huge breakfast of eggs, sausage, and pancakes. She decorated the table and made sure we had our choice of tea, hot chocolate,  or cider.

Her gentle loving personality is also a shy quiet one.

She doesn’t like crowds or large parties.

She feels uncomfortable meeting new people.

She’d rarely tell anyone when her feelings have been hurt, but would rather seclude herself to work through the emotions.

I’m certain God has a plan and a purpose for each of our children and created them with the gifts and abilities they will need.

As I watch each of them, and pray for them, I am encouraged.

Although they each have areas of growth, so do I.

When it comes to being a loving wife and Mom, I think of our Beth.

“Lord, please help me to have a gentle heart too.”