Just Taking it All In with a Let-it-Go Frame-of-Mind

I’m an “all in” kind-of-gal. I’ll admit that being all-in is easy when it comes to savoring the moments with my grandchildren. Sweet one-on-one time with my grown-up ones -- Braden and his wife, Ruth, and Barrett, while I was in Austin doing animal care. Braden and Ruth are still "honeymooning" after nearly three years of marriage. Maybe 2020 will be the year for a great grand-baby; at least that’s what a little bird told me! I’m not holding my breath, but, after seeing “The Lion King”, yesterday with the four younger grands, I started getting excited about the potential of the “circle of life” continuing in our family.

I’m an “all in” kind-of-gal. I’ll admit that being all-in is easy when it comes to savoring the moments with my grandchildren. Sweet one-on-one time with my grown-up ones -- Braden and his wife, Ruth, and Barrett, while I was in Austin doing animal care. Braden and Ruth are still "honeymooning" after nearly three years of marriage. Maybe 2020 will be the year for a great grand-baby; at least that’s what a little bird told me! I’m not holding my breath, but, after seeing “Lion King” with the four younger grands, I started getting excited about the potential of the “circle of life” continuing in our family.

When trying to decide “What should we do today?” and the suggestion of Chuck-E-Cheese came up – we were all in…. again! (Yes, this crew STILL wants to hang out there) – so funny to see them all so determined to chalk up more tickets than ever before – final count after pizza and two hours of play: 3,150! The next day they chose Ninja Nation – an American Ninja Warrior-like facility where obstacle courses give kids and adults body challenging action. Only problem was the blisters on their softy hands from hanging on bars and other obstacles. The new "Lion King" movie gave us all great feel-good feelings. The story line is similar to the original animated version, but the computer-generated life-like characters, music and current one-liners made for such a great afternoon.

In between all the go-to activities is always Nana’s standby oldie but goodie, Nintendo 64 – Mario Party, and other games that make me laugh, considering the current high-tech versions of video games on their phones and theater screens at home. A bocce championship on the courts in my community made for hilarious competition: Bryson and I on one team and Payton and Brennan on the other. Bryson and I, calmly accepting or not getting another “closest to the palino” score, while the other two highly-competitive guys throwing themselves on the ground in defeat or chest-bumping each other in the win. We had to have a play-off for the championship game and Bryson and I, gracefully, congratulated the winners in all their glory!

Maybe you’re still in the parenting mode, but, before long (Trust me…..the time flies!), grand-parenting will become a part of your world, and in that case, my PRO-Nana recommendation is to get intimately involved in their lives. Moms and dads are no doubt the greatest influencers, but grandparents can come in a close second. My husband and I teamed up for the first many years of the older kids’ lives. The youngest two only get me – so I have to step it up and be all in for both of us now. It isn’t a hard task. It’s a circle-of-life pleasure for me.

We always wanted our grandchildren to know that we pray for them, stand ready to be there for them, and to support them as best we could. I'm, by no means, wanting to be dishing out a guilt trip to anyone that doesn't have that "bent", but I assure you, there is nothing to compare to that precious love and hearing: "Nana, I love you so much! Am I your favorite?” And my reply, “Yes, you’re my favorite Payton! Alexia! Bryson! Brennan!” Along with this over-the-top, care-free spirit of this grandmother, is a brilliant one who knows…I love them too much to compare them or to even want them to be alike in any way. Just like God, I love them with the love of a devoted, grateful, and indescribable love that only grandparents AND God understands.

"The simplest toy, one which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent." -- Sam Levenson

Am I Your Favorite?

This boy. My joy. This Bryson man is the baby (I won't get away with saying that much longer, I'm sure​!​) of the 6 grandchildren, so maybe that's why I treasure that he ​and I are such good buds! He's 10 now, but he'll still hold my hand while we're sitting together and he ​still lets me cuddle him. He asks me, "Nana, am I your favorite?" To which I reply "You are my favorite 10-year old." There is just something about this boy, however, beyond him being the youngest, that grabs my heart. He is not as big in stature or ego. He's not competitive, unless he's beating me at Monopoly.

He's his own man and is quite content in his own skin. He loves his animals, so much so, that you don't have to ask if he's fed them or seen after them. He's out with them at least three times a day. He loves them so much. ​He'll say, "I've got to go see my girls (those are the donkeys, Molly Grace and Firecracker)", or ​"I'm going to feed the boys!" That's Vamanos, the longhorn, and the goats -- Oreo, Jorge, Billy, Buttercup and Bobby! And, he is on point everyday feeding and caring for his beloved dog, Bentley.

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Have you ever felt like the favorite (favored one)? I guess I did because I, too, was the baby, with my next oldest sibling, my sister who was 12 years older than me. I know I had special privileges because I was the youngest, but being the youngest, I was also my Mom's caregiver until her "going home" day. My joy.

Maybe you never felt like the favored one or favorite of anything? Here's some really good news. I assure you that we are loved by God without partiality. ​Oh yes, I know there was John, the beloved apostle, who kept repeating that he was "the one that Jesus loved" over and over in his writings. Then there's the scripture that describes David's relationship with God ​as ​"A man after God's own heart". It ​sure does sound like ​God ​does have His​ favorites, ​doesn't it?​

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Maybe there's a reason for favortism. Wonder if our choices have any impact on whether we are among His favorites? Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my Word.” God wants to show us all His favor and God isn't limited in His favor. He doesn't rank us in order of importance, nor is His favor something we must compete with one another to earn.

God is not limited in His favor. He does not rank us in order of importance, nor is His favor something we must compete with one another to earn. Every child of God who comes to Him through faith in Jesus Christ has the favor of God. ​Psalm 5:12 ​says, “For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” ​ ​As we grow in faith and seek to please Him, God demonstrates His favor by drawing near to us ​(James 4:8). He desires to bestow favor on everyone who seeks Him​ (Jeremiah 29:13). Even the Lord’s ​discipline is a means of showing favor to His children.​ Hebrews 12:5-6 ​says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

In reality, I think God has only One favorite -- His Son Jesus, but because God loved me and you so much that He sent His Favorite to become one of us, gave Him as the ultimate sacrifice to die for us so that we can have an abundant life here and forever, we are His favorites, too. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world (that's you and me) that He gave His only begotten Son.....(and the prerequisite?) that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life." That's real favoritism!!! When I am found in Him I too am a favorite of His. and when God sees me, He sees Jesus. I love the way Max Lucado puts it:

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If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; not to mention that Friday at Calvary? Face it, friend. He's crazy about you." Max Lucado

So, go ahead......feel the love, feel the favoritism, feel the warmth of His embrace. You are loved and the more you and I get that.....the more we'll accept the privileges of being in the royal family of God!



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