Tag Archives: Grandparents

Day 12: Born

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31 Days of Five Minute Friday Free Writes

“So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.” Psalm 78:7 (NLT)

Day 12: Born

Since I was born up until now, there have been a lot of changes in the world. I could list many things that I used everyday growing up that are now obsolete and have been replaced by new technology. But, even with all the advancements I’ve experienced in 63 years, I don’t think it compares with what my grandparents’ generation witnessed! 

Stop and think about it. Those born in the early 1900’s as my grandparents were, went from no electricity to automated everything, horse powered transportation to space travel, and limited communication to access to the world. 

My grandpa used to like to tell stories about what it was like during his growing up years. It was important to him to share his life experience. We knew that with each visit there’d be tales of the “olden days.” I wish I would have listened more carefully back then, as I’m sure I missed out on much wisdom that I could sure use now. What I did come to realize through those tales though, was when my grandpa was little he couldn’t even imagine the things that were now normal life to him as an adult. No one in his generation would have guessed how drastically life would change. It’s not the same for us. I don’t really think that we’d be surprised by anything that may be developed today: life under the sea or on the moon, flying cars, robots, you get the idea. We CAN conceive the things to come.

Being able to picture the future isn’t always a good thing. Along with creating advancements to make our lives easier, we’ve also created a world that has become more challenging and it sometimes feels like things just keep getting worse and worse. I don’t know about you, but I worry about what my grandchildren will face in their future and often, I don’t want to try to envision it at all.

That’s why we need to be like my grandpa and make sharing stories of Life with those around us a priority. 

“I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
Psalm 71:16-18 (NLT)

Grandpa’s stories taught us about the past and how far things have come. God’s stories reassure each of us we’re not alone right where we are and share the good news about where we’re going. Experiencing life with God through the good times and bad teach us what we need as we grow in Him. The prayer of the Psalmist should be ours too: “Let me proclaim your power to this new generation.” Those are exactly the stories we should feel are most important to tell our children, their children, and all those who come after us. And if like younger me, they don’t listen carefully? Well then, we tell them again; because hearing wisdom born of God now, makes life better than we ever imagined!

PS My grandpa is the boy to the far right. This family photo was taken in Aug. 1920.

If You Could ~ Five Minute Friday

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“The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.” Proverbs 20:29 (NLT)

If You Could

Have you ever answered one of those fun survey questions like:  “What one thing would you change about yourself?” or “Which superpower would you want to have and why?” Recently, I came across a post that asked, “If you could sit down and have a talk with someone who’s no longer living, who would it be?” As usual, I began pondering.

Many interesting people came to mind: authors, world-changers, musicians, and the like, however, those choices were fleeting. Very quickly, I knew exactly who I’d love to have one more conversation with, my grandparents!

I’m very blessed that when I was young, we moved to be closer to my grandpa and grandmas. Many weekend visits, holiday dinners, and special occasions were spent with them. Family stories and moments in their histories were often shared, unfortunately, back then I didn’t appreciate the privilege and importance of hearing them as much as I should have. (I’m pretty sure eye-rolling was involved.)

Once I was grown and moved away, our time together became limited, but bringing my own children “home” to my grandparents was always a precious time! The funny thing was, as my little ones listened to those same old stories I’d heard over and over again, they suddenly began to grab my attention, too. Those small glimpses into their lives are such gifts to me now!

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”
Job 12:12 (NIV)

Time passes quickly and my grandparents have been in their Heavenly home for many years. I’m so thankful for the time I had with them, but oh, how I wish I’d soaked up every word they had to offer when I had the chance! Now that I’m a “MiMi” myself, I’m finally beginning to fully understand the value of the shared experiences of those who’ve gone before us.

So, that’s my answer. If I could, I’d sit at the table for as long as possible with my Grandma P. and my Grandpa and Grandma Stevens, and I would listen, really listen, as they offered their insight, advice, and wisdom about life. I most certainly would gain much!

“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.” 
Proverbs 3:13 (NLT)

Tomorrow is Grandparents Day. If you are blessed to have yours still here with you, let them know how important they are to you and take every opportunity to learn from them now while you can, and not only “If you could…..”

“Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.”
Proverbs 19:20 (NLT)

I’m joining with the other writers at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com . The prompt this week is “Could”. I’m looking forward to reading all the different perspectives on one word. You can read them too. Just click on the link above. I am always so very grateful for your presence here. I’d love for you to share some of your favorite grandparent memories in the comments. I’ll leave a couple of mine there as well. Be Well and God Bless You!

MiMi’s Love

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“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NLT)

MiMi’s Love
For Carson and Owen 

He puts his little hand in mine, 
all the world is right. 
I don’t want him to change too fast
and so I hold on tight. 

His face is full of wonder
at everything he sees.
There are no more precious times
than days I spend like these.

Stories, jokes, and secrets to tell
that MiMi’s only know.
Songs to be sung, prayers to be said,
such a miracle to see him grow.

I thought I understood all about love,
but I didn’t have a clue.
Until they laid him in my arms
and suddenly then I knew.

A MiMi’s love is fashioned from
the love of God’s own son. 
Given freely as a gift
to each and every one. 

What a privilege it is to share
a love so divine
With the one who has my heart
and puts his hand in mine.

A Divided Heart ~Wise Wednesday 6/28/17

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“When a child is born, so are grandmothers.” ~Judith Levy Pixabay

Divided: separated; shared; to diverge; cleave………..

I have decided that being a grandparent causes you to suffer from a “divided heart”. Beginning at the instant you learn your child is having a child, it’s as if a magnetic force immediately draws your thoughts, dreams, prayers, and overwhelming love in the direction of that tiny, beating heart, hidden from the world. 

Fast forward to that breathless moment when the miracle that will call you “MiMi” (replace this with whatever your grands call you or will call you) is placed in your arms.  Everything else fades away. Cradling this precious armful, older heart to brand new heart, it seems they beat in unison, filling a place you didn’t know was empty, and nothing is ever the same again.

Time is both precious and tormenting. The longer you want to savor the sight, breathe in the scent, and caress the tiny fingers and toes of this new person in your life; the faster the minutes, hours, and days seem fly by. All too soon you’re faced with saying goodbye. Your stomach clenches.  Tears flow.  A heart divides.

A temporary condition?  Afraid not. A one time thing? Nope! Carson is two now: my heart?  Still  pulled in different directions.  We’ve recently been blessed with Owen: my heart? The chasm has grown.   The struggle is real! While my very being wants to wipe every tear, experience every milestone, calm every fear, and read bedtime stories every night with my grandsons; I’m also drawn home. My normal: the routine, responsibilities, schedule, and those that wait for me, beckon. Yes, a heart divided….wanting to cling to one place while yearning for the other.

Pondering this heart situation, it has occurred to me that we suffer in a similar way as Christians.  

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)

Above?  Earthly Things? Earthly things? Above? A heart divided! I  often find myself torn between a heart that is focused on me and my wants and one that is looking to follow God’s plan for my life. Maybe you do, too. And while we want to be home with Christ, where our fears will be calmed and our tears wiped away; to get there, we are faced with saying goodbye to THIS home. We cling to our earthly life and yet yearn for Heaven. Thank goodness God sent Jesus to bridge the gap of our broken hearts! Jesus said:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.” “I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:1-4, 6-7 (NIV)

I wasn’t prepared for the powerful love that comes with being a grandparent. I’m blessed to only live four hours away from the boys and technology helps keep us connected in-between visits.  Goodbyes will always be hard. As my heart continues to pull me in different directions, I pray it reminds me to always stay connected to the One who, with the greatest love of all, is preparing a place for me where my heart will be divided no more.

 

 

 

 

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