Category: Granna Chronicles

For a variety of reasons, it has been quite some time since I have written an article in the Granna Chronicles.  Since the last entry, our little SweetPea, now three, has gained a little sister. Happy and healthy, our LittleOne has been a joyous addition to the family.   Amazingly, she is already eight months old.  Time passes so quickly, and our children grow so fast!

Two weeks ago I had the privilege of watching our granddaughters while their parents had a much needed evening out.  With LittleOne safely tucked into her crib, SweetPea and I brushed her teeth before we headed downstairs to say prayers.  With a myriad of stuffed animals strategically placed on the bed, we settled in and recited the same words her parents had spoken when they were her age.

“Now I lay me down to sleep…..”   After blessing her family and “everybody in the whole wide world”, she unclasped her little hands and informed me quite seriously, “I prayin’ for ‘no”.   Following three unsuccessful attempts at clarification, I acknowledged her heartfelt request, and kissed her good night.

Two weeks later, upon my arrival for a visit, I was greeted at the top of the stairs by SweetPea’s very serious proclamation,“I prayin’ for ‘no”.  Her parents, also witness to her request during prayer times, had been able to translate to me that SweetPea was “praying for snow.” She wanted to play in it and make angels.  I had to chuckle, for the man at the coffee stand the very next morning had said he was praying that we wouldn’t have any snow. I informed him  this was not likely, as my three year old granddaughter had already put in her request.

As I write this article, two days after my last visit, I am sitting in the office, looking out the window at approximately six inches of snow blanketing the front lawn.  It is light, and fluffy, and beautiful, and I imagine, just right for making snow angels.  And I smile.

The Lord tells us to come to Him as little children.  I think of the confident request of our little SweetPea.  A request made over and over, in faithful expectancy.   Never did she ask what was taking so long.  There was neither doubt nor wavering as she made her desire to be known.  She simply continued to pray until she received her answer.  With a childlike faith.

Oh that we might have that same type of faith when we pray.

Mathew 18:4 Therefore, anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Our SweetPea loves to have her hair dryed.  After a bath the
search begins for the soft-bristled brown brush that is just the right size.
Then . . . whoooooosssshhhhh.  It is SweetPea’s turn, then Granna’s turn,
SweetPea’s turn, then Granna’s turn (in spite of the fact that Granna’s hair
isn’t wet), as warm air fills the room until every last strand of hair is dry.

One evening during this ritual, SweetPea accidently dropped a
clean pair of socks onto the floor.  They were to be placed on her feet after
the task was complete.  With Little Sweetie balanced on her left hip and the
blow dryer in her right hand, Granna carefully leaned against the counter,
reached down to the floor, and picked up the socks . . . with her toes.
Unceremoniously, she lifted them to SweetPea’s waiting hand.

It was obvious from the look on her face that SweetPea had never
seen anyone pick anything up in such a manner.  Her eyes grew wide and her
eyebrows shot up as she looked at her Granna in shock and surprise.  After
that . . . she peeled with laughter.  And so it began.  Out she would stretch
her little arm, socks held firmly in grasp.  Then . . . DROP.   Down the socks
would go.  Dutifully manuevering herself into a stable position, Granna would
pick up the small white bundle and return them.  Hysteria would follow as time
and again they would laugh and laugh at such a ridiculous sight.  Finally,
satisfied and tired, it was time to place the socks on SweetPea’s clean feet and
head off to bed.

It seems the cares of life can sometimes weigh us down and we
forget to laugh. Yet laughter is an important part of our being.  God gives us
many scriptures that encourage us to find joy in life and living it in the
knowledge of His love.  Today take a moment to be as carefree as a child and
find something ridiculous to laugh at, be it dropped socks, a funny story or
joke or program, or some silly escapade of the dog.

You are a child of God, and your Father loves to hear you
laugh!

Proverbs 15:5 . . . . he who is of a merry heart has a continual
feast.

Proverbs 17:22  A merry
heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit
dries the bones (NKJV)

Psalm 122:2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said
among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for
them.”

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said unto them, Go your way , eat
the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is
prepared : for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry ; for the
joy of the LORD is your strength.

It was summer and my husband invited me to join him on a trip to Florida.  He had business there and we would stay an extra day or two to vacation.  We were excited as we had never visited Florida before.  There would be time spent on one of the beaches, then a drive across the state toDisneyworld and Epcott Center and the adventures that awaited us there.

The trip was wonderful.  Many sights, beautiful countryside and marvelous weather.  But . . . . I missed our SweetPea.  Every time I would see a little girl her age I would think of SweetPea and smile.  I wondered; what would she look like in those Micky Mouse ears?  Would she like a wand, or a Cinderella crown or some slippers?  Wouldn’t she love the waves?  What were she and her
Mommy doing today?  I thought of her sweet little face and the joy that she brings to our lives.

As you go about your day today, God is thinking of you, every moment.  His thoughts towards you are so many that they are too numerous to count.  He has engraved your name on the palm of His hand.  He will never forget you nor forsake you.  Even when it seems He is far away, His thoughts are ever upon you.

Remember, no matter where you are or what you are doing, God is thinking of you With Love.

Psalm 40:5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

Psalm 139:17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of
them!

Isaiah 49:14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” 15 “Can a mother forget the baby at
her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

SweetPea is on the move!  Ever in motion, she is crawling, standing, sitting, playing.  She is learning.  And every so often, falling on her face.  Literally.  I was visiting the other day and as we were playing, SweetPea tripped on her skirt as she was crawling across the floor, landing on her nose.  It wasn’t a hard bump, but it didn’t feel good, and I am sure it hurt her feelings.  After an initial moment of silence and surprise, she began crying.  But instead of sitting there, crying by herself, she immediately looked to me. Wasting no time she moved to her Granna, pulling herself up to settle on my chest and be held in my arms.  We hugged, and rocked and I stroked her hair.  Then it was finished.  Comforted and confident that she was all right, the crying stopped and she moved away, knowing that I was there to love and ecncourage her if she should fall again.

We too will fall on our face from time to time. Sometimes due to our own actions. Sometimes to the actions of someone else. Sometimes it just happens.  When it does, we don’t need to sit and cry by ourselves.  We can immediately look to our Father, move towards Him, and allow ourselves to be held in His arms. Then, strengthened and reassured of His love, we will have the confidence to go forward again.

Isaiah 66:13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted . . . . . .

Jeremiah 31:13 for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow.

Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

2 Corinthians 1:3,4  3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (NKJ)

I had to discipline our SweetPea for the very first time not too long ago. 

Funny how quickly our “human nature” makes itself known.  She was not quite one year old.  Tired and frustrated, SweetPea pushed at my face in a not so nice fashion.  “Be nice to Granna’s face” I said in a soft but serious voice.  Then . . . . a grab and hard for an eleven month old tug on the front of my shirt.  “NO NO SweetPea”  I said sternly.  It was the first time she had heard that tone in my voice.  While I hated to use it, I knew that I must.  For it wouldn’t be good for her if she didn’t learn proper behavior, even when she is tired.  Eventually, others wouldn’t like her, nor would she like herself.  I disciplined her out of love.

Our Heavenly Father disciplines us for the very same reason.  Because it is what is best for us.  Because He loves us.  Because He wants others to love us, and for us to be able to love ourselves.

Hebrews 12:10 . . . . Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (NIV)

Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Our little SweetPea is full of energy.  At 11 months old, she is busy exploring, learning, crawling after the kitties, and playing with her toys.  It is action full speed, all under the watchful eye of those who love her. . . .  Then, tired from her endless journeys, it is time to rest.  She goes to her Mommy or her Daddy and wants to be picked up and held in their arms. She wants to be reassured, spoken quietly to, and held securely.  We have those very same needs.

As we go about our busy lives, doing what needs to be done, we will need to stop and rest.  To look to our Father for comfort and reassurance.  To climb up in His lap and be re-energized so we can go back out with the strength we need to do it all again.  And in the same way we watch carefully over our SweetPea, His eye is continually upon us.

Mathew 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Isaiah 40:11  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

“Sorry Mom.  I’m afraid I am bringing you a cranky baby.”

“That’s okay.  I’m not afraid of cranky babies!”.

And it is true.  No matter what humor SweetPea is in when she comes, I am glad to see her.  I want to spend time with her, even when her mood isn’t the best.  To look at her and rejoice in how she is growing and changing.  To figure out just what it is she needs.  To love and play with her, or put her down for a rest.  I am simply glad to have her with me.

So it is with your Father and you.  Don’t wait to talk to Him because you are hurt, or tired, you are angry, or don’t feel well.  He isn’t afraid.  He loves you.  He longs to be with you. He wants to meet your needs.  He will simply be glad that you came.

Jeremiah 31:3 Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Zephaniah 3:17 He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (NIV)

I was walking up the sidewalk to visit my little SweetPea.  It had been a while since I had seen her, and she and Mommy were looking out the window as I arrived.  May I never forget the look on her face! She was beaming, smiling ear to ear, squealing and banging on the window.  She was SO EXCITED to see her Granna!

As I was leaving a few hours later I was reminded that we are called to approach God as little children.  May we come humbly before Him with a childlike faith, excited to spend time with Him, unashamed to receive the love that He has to give.