Recently we were privileged to have visitors in our home. One of those visitors was a small, almost 3-year-old. But while he seems so young in my very old eyes, it impresses me on how much I can see big changes in him with every visit! He has gone from being so very shy and not wanting to let his daddy and mommy out of his sight to being quite grown-up and willing to stay with us without having his "people" in sight. His trust and love is showing. My delight in watching him and seeing the growing and seeing the changes every couple of months as he grows reminds me of how probably God delights in watching us grow—more like Him. He records our daily activities. I am sure he notes our changes—changes that show us growing more like Him growing to trust Him or growing in a more dark and dangerous direction. How sad that my growth to become like Him is so slow sometimes and that at other times I just seem to give up on the growing and come to a stop. I even regress in the wrong direction sometimes. Then I feel so sad that I stopped growing.
He is at the stage where his independence is showing. Trips to the bathroom for various reasons including hand washing are done with much independence. This independence is both a relief and a bit dismaying to his daddy. Not having to be available for every activity is freeing, yet it comes with knowing that growing is happening and will lead to not being needed in the future. Our own growing is in becoming more sure of ourselves as we become one with God and trust Him more. Yet, we will never outgrow our need for our Father's love and care.
This little boy eagerly anticipated coming to the "farm" long before the day of their trip and arrival. His anticipation was encouraged by his Daddy and Mommy. Daddy's love for green tractors and home things and Mommy's helping the little boy develop his love of green tractors by choosing green tractor shirts and socks and hats, etc. for him to wear. His delight in what he is wearing is fun and it gives him positive direction in wanting to come to Grandma and Grandpa's farm. His anticipation of his trip to the farm world to explore reminds me, again, of my own anticipation for going to my Father's home, to explore His Home with Him—the Master Gardener, Farmer, Fisherman, Artist, Doctor, Scientist, Physicist, Biologist, Zookeeper and zoologist, Creator of that New and Wonderful World. The more we become like Him, the greater our anticipation of wanting to go to our Heavenly home.
We had so much fun watching this little boy. He has someone very important to him, his father! He watches so closely and sees much that he tries to copy. Whatever Daddy does, he wants to do, too! If daddy uses an electric drill, then guess what needs to happen next? Our little copycat boy needs a drill, too. Or hammer, screwdriver, or rake! He not only needs the tools, he copies the manner in which they are used. When we picked up sticks and then burned the stick pile, he was right there, helping to pick up sticks and “helping” start the fire. What an important burden little copycats place on their parents! He was copying his father—copying the "helping! "That makes me think that we have an example of Jesus. He came to us to be the example to be copied. He came as someone to assist us, to help us in our growing up to be like Him and His Father. We have the example—we should try every day to copy the Father's Son as our personal example.
We love to have our grandkids visit us. We do not think that they come to visit often enough. Just as we anticipate their coming, our Heavenly Father joyfully anticipates us coming to be with Hm. But when we do get to enjoy them, it is interesting to see what each of them picks out as a favorite thing to do and remember. Each one is so different in what they like and choose to do. Our most recent visitor really, really, really, liked the collection we have of toy Thomas trains inspired from the TV program—Thomas, and Friends. We found a garage sale deal many years ago and purchased it thinking that our Thomas loving son would want them for his own son someday! For now, his nephew is totally enthralled and enjoys them. It did not take him long to discover where I was storing them until he came to visit this time. During the time he was here, we could find trains anywhere and everywhere! Getting out the tracks and bridges added to his enjoyment! God engages us with things on this earth that are a just a forerunner of what we will enjoy in Heaven in His home.
As a grandchild's favorite toy at Grandma's house, a seemingly simple object can become a symbol of joy, connection, and the enduring love between generations, reminding us of the simple pleasures and the power of family. A collection of trains or worn teddy bear, beloved doll, or a cherished game—these are not just toys; they are objects of joy, laughter, and comfort, mirroring the warmth and love that Grandma pours into their lives. The way a grandchild clutches or plays with their favorite toy at Grandma's house is a visual representation of the strong bond and connection between Grandma or Grandpa and child, a virtual reminder of the special time spent together. Just as a Grandma cherishes her grandchild and their favorite toy, God cherishes each of us, offering comfort, joy, and a love that is just as enduring as the bond between a grandchild and their Grandma. In a world that often gives priority to material possessions, the simple joy a grandchild finds in a favorite toy reminds us to appreciate the small things, the moments of connection, and the beauty of the simple things in life. This little grandson who came to visit us, watched his Grandpa and Daddy use some tools for one of their projects. He observed all that was going on and saw one tool that he really liked—small bent needle nose pliers. He rapidly claimed it as his at Grandpa's house! He was careful though; he knew that it lived in Grandpa's kitchen junk drawer and put it back in the drawer. Once, he found it for Grandpa—in the drawer—when Grandpa was looking for his misplaced tool! Let's take just as good care of the things that God gives us to live each day and that He gives us to do our work for Him each day. Let us pray that the joy and love blessings found in these simple moments with grandchildren will continue to flourish, that the bonds between generations will grow stronger, and that the love of God will always be present in our homes.
I have a list of things I would like to do or have someone to help me with. Some have been postponed because of the physical problems that have come to me as I grow older. My to-do list is quite long and I have tried to be patient, even to the point of giving up on getting some of them getting done. When I do get some help with a couple of items on my list, I know the help is an act of love because it is something that is important to me and not to others. Nearly three years ago, people who loved me painted my living room walls and helped me arrange the living room furniture since we had put new carpet in. I have tried to be patient for those 3 years, waiting for someone to have time to put back up the curtain rods with new and cleaned curtains and drapes up at the same time as the rods. No job is ever as easy as it first seems to be. This curtain hanging job was not as easy as it should have been and then I added more trouble because I kept thinking of changes. My helper had to go the proverbial second mile to get everything fixed according to my desires. It was definitely an act of love. But oh, how I am enjoying my newly improved room. It is so cozy now. I can close the curtains to shut out the dark (like the darkness of sin) and keep the light (like the light of God's glory within me) inside my room just for me! I want to have the light inside of me making me shine for Him. Before, I could look out, others could look in and I did not have safe, cozy feelings. And another thing—while I can wash the windows that are facing the living room, washing the between window and storm window areas is not possible for me. Every time I looked out the windows, I could see dirt and webs and wasp homes between the storms and inside windows.....three very dirty hard to clean windows. Now there are pretty lacy sheer curtains covering each window. And those sheer curtains are covering up and hiding the dirt! While it is still there, it is hidden from my sight by those curtains. I can still see through them, but they are disguising the dirt. I am so happy with it being hidden! Not visible! Reminds me that just as God covers our dirt of sin with His clean robes of righteousness, He no longer sees the sin. He sees Christ's righteousness that covers the dirt of sin in our lives. I am so glad for his pure white cover up “curtain”. He makes the dirty window of my life all pretty again. The sin is removed from His sight.
My dirty life has been hidden!