Day 161 of Photo Inspirations -- Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother
For several weeks now, my sweet BFF, Sheila Michie and I have been going two different directions. She was on a missions trip to Guatemala; I was on a trip to Northern Europe. She was in Texas with her new grandson; I was with my 13 & 15 year old grandchildren in Texas. But yesterday, we reunited and caught up, and it was as though no time had passed at all. We had a lot in common before, but this precious little grandson, gave her full membership as a card-carrying member of the grandparents club. She passed her first test: she was right on queue, pulling out the photos and videos. It's easy to see that little boy is a genius -- at 5 weeks old he's smiling and cooing and his best friend is Olaf, the snowman character from "Frozen". You can tell it in his eyes! Yes, she's smitten. And, I wouldn't have expected anything less. My gift to her was a book entitled "Funny, You Don't Look Like a Grandmother!" ....and she doesn't.
It's been a long time since those words were said to me.....my oldest grandson will turn 23 this year -- whew! But, seeing my sweet friend's joy reminded me of that little man that turned OUR world upside down. We fell madly in love with him at first sight -- when we saw his 8-weeks-in-the-oven ultrasound. He looked like a peanut. Bear with me -- that's him in the photo. Each of my six grandchildren, in their each individual ways, have captured my heart. Since I'm an elite member of the grandparents club, of course I need to show you all six (the last photo of us with Papa).
I talk a lot about cultivating the talents and gifts of our children. After we've practiced and practiced our parenting skills, then we become grandparents. It's then that we get to help shape THEIR thoughts and values and help pave paths for them.....even when they're not aware of our doing so. We get to give them the audacity to dream and prepare them to take giant leaps in life by being loving and supportive. How best do we do that? We do so in our prayers for them.
I am a "circle maker". I've drawn circles of prayer around each of my six, plus one, my grandson's fiancee, Ruth Hays. As I pray over them daily, I pray those words spoken about Jesus. "And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." Luke 2:52. I expect great things from each of them. The sky is the limit -- that's the way I pray for them. My children and my grandchildren are my greatest assets and these prayers that I pray will live way beyond me....they'll be lived out in even my grandchildren's children. God blessed my life with them. And, if you haven't noticed, I'm wearing a crown these days. "Children's children are a crown to the aged" Proverbs 17:6
