The gift of love

Our daughter and son-in-law allowed their oldest girl to spend the night with us Saturday.

The next morning Papa and Faye came out to see the animals while I was doing chores.

I was surprised by our male rabbit, he rarely lets anyone pet him, but as you can see, he sat quietly and let her.

She helped feed both bunnies, pet the sheep, and said “Hi” to the chickens before returning inside so we could prepare for church.

She was a little shy as people greeted her and sat between Auntie and myself during worship.

She wanted me to hold her for one song, tucking her head under my chin and grasping my arms with her tiny ones.

Once service began, Auntie (Anne) took her to the nursery.

The sermon was from 1 John and our pastor began with describing the love and trust his granddaughter has when her dad tosses her in the air.

That same love and trust I see in our grandchildren for their father.

It’s the same love we experienced while Faye was staying with us.

Like her joy and hugs when we got up in the morning.

Her smiles and cuddles when she came in from seeing the animals.

The kisses and hugs she gave each of us before she returned home with her parents.

These beautiful moments will be added to the string of cherished memories I have of our precious little girl.

One of my favorite memories, during her infancy, is when I’d walk her to sleep, then sit in the rocker and enjoy holding her while she slept.

I feel so blessed to have these times with her, and am inspired by her.

Her gift of love is a blessing and she loves, because we first loved her.

And in turn, I love because Jesus first loved me.

1 John 4:19 KJV — We love him, because he first loved us.

This gift of love from God is meant to be shared.

And I’m taking the example of our granddaughter in how to love.

I want to love God with perfect trust in Him.

1 John 4:18 NKJV — There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Because I am safe in the salvation of my Lord Jesus, I can lavishly love without restraint.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for our grandchildren and how much I learn from them. Lord, thank You for our children and the things I’m still learning from them. Lord, thank You for Your love and how far You went to bestow Your love upon us. Today, I want to love You as my granddaughter loves, without restraint, without worry. Lord, I want to learn to trust You as a little child. For I know You are worthy of my trust! You are worthy of all my praise. Your Word is truth and Your salvation is eternal life. What do I have to fear when my soul is safe in You? Nothing but You do I want to revere. Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me the gift of love. I’m unworthy of it, but I’m so thankful for it! I love You, Jesus. Amen.

A birthday surprise

My husband’s mother is a sweet lady.

Our children call her Nana.

I call her Mom.

She’s not only a treasure to our family, her most endearing trait is her joy.

When our third daughter was three months old, Mom had a major stroke.

It robbed her of her speech, her ability to read and write, and her use of her right arm and right leg.

Therapy returned her ability to walk and a good deal of her speech returned, although her voice has never been the same.

She worked diligently to relearn to read and how to write left handed.

The doctor’s told us there were no guarantees as to how long she would live, due to the extreme damage the stroke inflicted, and that was 19 years ago.

Mom has endured many more health issues since that stroke and yet her smile is as bright, her laugh is as frequent.

She loves Jesus and others, and it’s beautiful.

God had a special birthday gift for Mom this New Year’s Day.

(Besides turning 70!)

Our granddaughter was born!

All our hearts were touched by this special surprise, because our daughter and husband had already made it known before she arrived that her middle name would be after her great grandmother’s.

Only God could have orchestrated something so special.

We are praising Him for His blessing to our family.

And as I prayed about what nickname to give our newest little beauty, Mom came to mind: joy.

Nothing could be more fitting.

Welcome, Joy!

We are so glad you are part of our family!

Psalm 35:27 NKJV — Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the LORD be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

Psalm 126:3 KJV — The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your blessings. Lord, thank You for our family. We are far from perfect and we have many areas of need, but we look to You for all things. We thank You for the ways You have been with us and Your incredible mercy and kindness. Lord Jesus, please continue to teach us how to walk with You and how to encourage others. Lord, please shine Your truth into our hearts and minds that we might not sin against You or others. Lord, please help us to be diligent in seeing to the cares of others, not just focused upon ourselves. Lord, please guide Baby Joy’s parents as they raise her and her siblings. Thank You for the miracle of life and the great joy of children. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

“What is it?”

Our granddaughter says this phrase a good deal.

She has a few words she uses, but she’s yet to speak fluidly.

Her curiosity and joy at life are infectious.

Her little smiles, her little hands grasping toys or books or patting, her little eyes looking up so innocently, all these brings us such joy.

And while she is learning about her world and the people in it, she’s asking:

What is it?

It’s something I ask my Heavenly Father frequently.

I’ll hear of an event, see something on the news, or be surprised by a post and my heart will leap:

“God! What is it?”

“Why did that person do that? What caused the behavior there? What were they thinking?”

But He always leads me gently back to the truth.

No matter what I see on the surface there’s something deeper.

A spiritual battle going on which often affects us when we least realize it.

So, again comes the question:

“What is it?”

And added to this:

“How do I pray?”

The answers are as varied and numerous as one might expect.

Each circumstance is unique and therefore holds different points to pray for.

Sometimes, I don’t receive an answer right away and therefore turn to scripture.

I ask God to give me a verse or group of verses to pray.

I seek Him personally, to be sure nothing is hindering my prayers.

Sometimes, I just pray and thank God for whatever He is doing that I don’t understand.

But I am so blessed to be able to go before God, the Creator, and lift up people.

The privilege of talking with the Almighty about anything and everything is overwhelming good.

To find peace and security in His voice, His direction, His Sovereignty.

It’s comfort to my soul, not unlike when our granddaughter gets lifted up to her father’s shoulder.

She leans in and rests her head on him and smiles.

She’s content in the arms of her father.

I can be as well.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for letting me lift up my heart to You. Thank You for opportunities to pray. Lord, thank You for the comfort I find in You and in Your Word. Lord Jesus, please hold me in Your arms and continue to teach me how to pray. I want to be able to stand in the gap, to lift up others bed You, to know You as a Father and a friend. Lord Jesus, thank You for walking with me daily. I give You my all. Please be glorified in me today. Amen.

Surprise!

Yesterday was a bit crazy.

But it was a really good day!

Before I got school going my daughter called.

She was requesting our Anne to come help for the day as pregnancy had kept her up most of the night.

Our granddaughter is a busy one-year-old, so we completely understood the desire for extra help.

All of us piled into the car a short time later.

Originally, I was just going to drop Anne off.

When I went in to give my love to Sis, I realized things had changed.

She was having contractions.

We stayed to see if they’d leave.

They didn’t.

Thankfully, our son-in-law was only a little over an hour away, so he headed home.

We are staying at their house so it’s more comfortable for our granddaughter.

Our school day had major changes, but valuable lessons in it all.

It was obvious that our sweet little girl was trying to figure out why her parents had not returned.

But good news was on the way!

There’s nothing like that moment when you see a text from your son-in-law after hours of waiting.

Our precious grandson was born yesterday evening and we are so thankful!

What a wonderful surprise!

He wasn’t due until the 26th of this month, but God’s timing is perfect.

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 40:5 KJV — Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for our grandson. Please continue to heal and strengthen our daughter. Please keep Your hand upon this precious baby. Lord, from the moment we heard another baby was on the way I have lifted them up to You. Please bring this child up in Your ways and give his parents the understanding of how to raise him to love and honor You. Lord, place Your hand upon him and guide his steps that he might be a godly man, a mighty man of valor. Lord Jesus, thank You so much for this precious new gift! We are humbled by Your blessings. Thank You. May Your name be glorified throughout the whole Earth. Amen.

Holding on to faith

Since it was their anniversary, they asked us to babysit while they went on a date.

Of course, we love to babysit!

In one short year, our granddaughter has taught me so much.

Like, reliving life, from her perspective.

Holding her on my arm, while we stroll through the backyard, has been an opportunity to learn.

The two of us go around and pet all the plants.

We’ve done this since the veggie garden was put in.

She likes to feel the different textures and as long as I hold her, she feels safe exploring.

Which brings me such joy.

It encourages me spiritually, as well.

When her little arm is clinging to mine and her little face is smiling so contentedly, I think of God.

She feels safe and therefore is willing to reach out.

I want to hold on to Jesus like that.

To be so secure in His embrace that I’m willing to reach out when He leads me to.

These words of Jesus speak so clearly:

“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3‭-‬4 NKJV

If I hold tightly to my faith in the Lord Jesus, there is no room for fear.

It is only when I let go of the truths of scripture, the faithfulness of the Lord in my life, and the security of His salvation that I’m in danger.

When our granddaughter becomes frightened, her first reaction is to hold up her hands, her little eyes expressing her emotion and the security she’s seeking.

I want to be like that.

With each day, each moment, each phase of life.

Lifting my life before God Almighty, surrendering myself before His Sovereignty, and clinging to Him in faith.

Because I have seen the peace upon our granddaughter’s face when she secure in her Daddy’s arms.

And I know I can find the same in mine.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for making a way for all to be children of God. How great is Your love towards us that You would make us sons and daughters! Lord, please continue to hone my heart into Your way, teach me by Your truths. Make me a reflection of You. Thank You so much for loving me as Your child. Thank You for teaching me to hold on to faith. I love You, Jesus. Thank You. Amen.

Three years ago today

Wow!

The days have swiftly gone, like dried leaves in a strong wind.

How blessed it has been.

God has truly done marvelous things in these three years.

When our Sis married, we gained a son.

Our other children gained a brother.

We all were granted a huge blessing.

For truly, he loves all of us and most importantly, he loves Jesus.

Through this wonderful new family, God has granted such encouragement to us.

Tim has supported Sis as she’s continued to follow her education, because he knows she feels called by God to do it.

And God has blessed them in that.

Both of them have supported us as we walked this road of struggle, first with injuries to Anne and Bell, then with my illness.

Along with that, they opened their home to us.

I spent a major part of last summer living with them while we tried to figure out what to do about my inability to live in our house.

Often Jase or Anne was there as well.

When it was clear God was moving us, Sis packed, and Tim hauled things in his trailer.

They helped unload and unpack when we got in this house.

There are so many little things they have done to bless and encourage us.

Of course the best occurrence in these three years has been our grandchildren.

Both the birth of our first granddaughter, over a year ago, and the expected birth of our first grandson next month.

Near Tim’s birthday, this spring, I asked him how he felt about his birthday.

I can’t recall the exact phrase, but it was something like:

“Really blessed. I had no idea God was going to bless me so much. I have a beautiful wife and I’m the father of two children, although our next is still in the womb. Yeah, I’m really blessed.”

My husband and I agree.

God has truly blessed them and us.

So much has happened in three years.

What an incredible God we serve!

Happy Anniversary, Tim and Sis.

We love you!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for family. Thank You for creating the entire social and human relations with the first family, Adam and Eve. Lord, none of us deserve Your blessings, but we are so grateful for it. Our hearts are full of wonder at Your works. As we walk into another day, please continue to lead us. We want our families to be a reflection of You to those around us. Thank You so much for these three years. Thank You for our daughter and son-in-law and their children. Thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace poured out upon us. We praise Your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

Grammy…again!

Yup, it’s a baby bump!

When our daughter and her husband told us we were going to be grandparents, the first time, we were thrilled.

It wasn’t until later that we realized we needed to pick out names.

I know it sounds funny, but our granddaughter has ten grandparents.

Our son-in-law’s parents, his grandparents, us, my mother, my husband’s parents, and his grandmother.

So, just going by Grandma was going to be too confusing.

And no I couldn’t just add the last name, that’s what my husband’s grandmother goes by.

So, we began to look for names.

My husband’s search ended quickly.

The men he worked with just started calling him Poppy.

And it stuck.

Poppy he is.

Well, great.

What goes with Poppy?

Grammy! (Of course.)

So, Grammy I became.

And I love it.

Not because I care too much about the name.

But because I care so much about our granddaughter.

She’s a delight.

And now we are looking forward to the next baby.

This one is due in August.

I’m so thankful to God for these little blessings.

I’m so humbled by the opportunity to get to be a part of their lives.

I already have so much I want to pass on to them.

My heart yearns to transfer all the love and lessons Jesus has taught me.

Of course, they will have their own.

No one’s walk with the Lord Jesus is exactly the same.

But, I’m so thankful I get to be a part of it.

Training up our children has been such a joy!

Now, I’m getting to help train up grandchildren.

What a wonderful opportunity and gift!

I praise God for His incredible blessings.

Psalm 127:3 NKJV — Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Why are babies helpless?

How sweet is this!?!

My hubby holding our darling granddaughter.

He wasn’t sleeping,

just so comfortable.

The kind of comfortable which allows one to completely relax.

I sat nearby.

Enjoying the moment.

It was watching our granddaughter with her mother and father which caused me to ponder.

Why did God choose to make babies so utterly helpless and dependent?

Many types of animal babies are able to walk soon after birth.

Yet it can take more than a year for our babies.

There must be a reason.

I don’t know the entire answer, but as I watched our family care for and love our family baby I felt as though I understood God better.

Our baby does very little yet.

Her needs are many.

Her mother nurses her, changes her, washes her, carries her, and protects her.

At no time does her baby say “please” or “thank you”, because she doesn’t talk yet.

Neither does she give her mother or father any service whatever.

But all of us take such pleasure in her.

Her smiles and her baby noises bring us so much joy.

Her small body tucked up in a blanket sleeping peacefully is a blessing.

We all care for her.

And she has never done anything to earn any of it.

We love her, because she is.

How much more does God do for each of us?

From the very beginning with the creation of Adam and Eve, God has loved and cared for each person.

His faithfulness is neverending.

Yet, just like our baby, we simply can’t understand some things.

She doesn’t realize her mother is helping her when she quickly moves her away from something dangerous.

She only knows that it startles and frightens her and she looks up with confusion and hurt into her mother’s face.

We too often find circumstances frightening and startling, and our first reaction is, “Why did You allow that!?”

Yet, if we could see and understand what He knows, how different our response would be.

If our family can find immeasurable joy in our daughter’s baby, how much more joy does God feel when we turn our lives over to His will?

How much pleasure can it bring Him when we choose to stand in the face of fear and rest our hearts in His hands?

What kind of love can we truly find in Our Lord Jesus?

I know the feeling in my own heart for our sweet granddaughter.

And I know Jesus’s love is far greater.

Why are babies so helpless?

Maybe,

just maybe

to let us truly see our own

helplessness

and to look for the One

Who will and does care for all our

needs.