One Grandson's Joy

Good... Morning, Readers!  This truly is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!  Since Michael is still under the weather and healing from his surgery, I listened to two sermons on TV ...one given by Joel Osteen and the other by a Dr. Frederick Price in Los Angeles.  They were so different but both well worth watching.  Funny how God seems to meet us in our need and what applies to our lives.  Ever went to church and thought, "He was speaking to me ... how did he know?"  That's the sign that we are listening "to the self" and not to change another person.  Go God!!

Yesterday, Michael and I had the privilege of watching over our youngest grandson, Nicholas while Mom and Dad went to a church meeting.  It was a day filled with spending time with him and allowing him to speak to us.  Nicholas has always been the shy grandchild ... the one less trusting ... the one that is the watcher ...  We had a wonderful visit from start to finish and he went home one tired little boy.  I have found that it is always best to allow our grandchildren to speak to us and to get to know them in their own world.  Nicholas is about JOY!!

We began our day with a trip to the Cotton Patch where we had a delicious dinner.  Nicholas got to pick his food ... french fries and mac & cheese may not be my idea of a wholesome meal but he also added a fruit cup and milk so we went along with his wishes.  We took photos and he posed and giggled as we loved sharing his world.  Like all little boys, he had to hide under the table and make faces ... we were thoroughly entertained.  Nicholas is about JOY!

Our next stop was Target where Nicholas helped me find groceries and medicines for Grandpa.  He was patient as he rode the front of the cart but then, in a quiet voice, he said, "Grandma, is it time to find the toys?"  His sly grin got the best of me and we headed to the toys ... thank goodness the aisles were empty as we zoomed toward the toys, Nicholas laughing and Grandma huffing and puffing as we sped towards the Promised Land of Toys.  Oh goodness, how could there be so many toys.  Nicholas looked up at me and said, "Grandma, what can I pick out?"  I looked at him and with a wink of the eye said, "You may pick out two toys with Grandma having the final say depending on cost."  Off he went ... he was a man on a mission and knew exactly where he was going ... the Star Wars aisle!  It took him all of 5 minutes to make his selections and we were off to the check out line.  Even there, I learned more about my Grandson and what his world is about.  Nicholas is a child of JOY!

We had picked up a Star Wars movie as well and as we headed home, he was jabbering about his toys and what he was going to do once we got home.  Good grief, those toys are so wired in ... Nicholas waited patiently (?) and smiled with each snip of a wire knowing that the release of the toy meant he was in his element.  He quickly set up his treasures and his little mind began to churn.  I laid down on the floor beside him and listened.  Sometimes, you get to know a child just by observing...  Nicholas is about JOY!!

Mom and Dad arrived close to 8:30pm, and Nicholas's little eyes were beginning to get a bit heavy.  He was trying so hard to stay awake to hear the rest of the movie, his arms wrapped around his new found toys.  We visited awhile to hear about Mom and Dad's meeting.  What an end to a beautiful few hours.  I am looking forward to another time of soloing with my special little grandson.  He's an amazing little fellow with a huge heart.  Nicholas is about JOY!

I have learned that children truly are a gift from God.  Childhood passes so quickly and it is in those years that their thoughts and character are developed.  I thought about a poem that I have read over and over in the past years and wanted to pass it on...

Children Learn What They Live by Dorothy Law Nolte (1924 - 2005)

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

As parents and grandparents it is our job to make sure our children are secure in who they are and what they are about.  I have been blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren and my cup overflows when I think about them or talk about them.  Time goes by so quickly ... it seems like yesterday that I was a small child seeking my own person.  Children do not come with instructions so we struggle as we raise them and love them.  All we can do is the best we can with the knowledge we have ... I have found that God will redeem any efforts that fail and use our efforts in a good way.

Today is a day of rest ... I completed my 40 days of 40 minutes of prayer.  Yea!  I have learned to do what is right one day at a time and leave the rest to God.  I also have been more aware of my speech .... is what I am saying true?  Kind?  Necessary?  Hmmmm, something to continually think about.

May the Lord bless and keep you safe this day.  I've declared this day "Hug a Grandchild" day!  Grandparents are necessary and oh so important in the lives of our little ones.  Don't have a grandchild ... find a little one that could use a little love and attention.

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. "~~Psalm 127:3-5

I am grateful for Nicholas - Child of Joy