Timothy is adapting to life outside the womb. He still bundles himself into a tight ball and even swaddled, he scrunches and squirms. He’s experiencing gravity in a new way now that he’s not suspended securely in amniotic fluid. He has to work at eating, the air he breathes is still new to his lungs, …
What are You Communicating?
Watching my new grandson learn to control his facial muscles is precious and comical, but if some of his scrunchy faces were on an adult or adolescent, they may not be endearing or amusing. Body language accompanied by facial expression can be inviting or off-putting. I teach teenagers in Bible study and my main goal …
No Time To Waste
I love my grandchildren and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for them, but one thing is far more important than all the rest. Feeding them nutritious food and making sure they get plenty of rest is incredibly important. Being watchful and keeping them safe from harm is essential. Reading to them, showing them how …
Synthesizing God’s Word
Bear with me as I brag a little. I’m certain I have the cutest and smartest grandchildren ever. They’re growing so quickly and they amaze me with all they’re learning. They’re constantly listening and repeating each other, their parents, and me. They know song lyrics and bedtime stories by heart and they’re already memorizing scripture. …
Conspicuously Absent
My mother had a beautiful young friend who babysat for us when I was a girl. She was one of those rare souls who loved purely and simply, who readily shared a smile and laughter even while she was hiding her own pain. Her life was cut short by cancer, but she blessed all who …
Jesus In Me
How long have you known me? All your life? All my life? A few days, weeks, months, years, or only for a season? Much of your knowledge of me depends on our relationship to one another, but even more on your relationship to Christ. In families and within communities, there are degrees of relationship. I …
What On Earth Are You Doing?
“What is he saying?” my husband asked. “Lightbulb bump,” our toddler grandson repeated. He had just heard me relay a message from his mother. The lightbulb in the guest bathroom is out, and the sun shades on the back porch were bumping all night in the wind. Would he change the bulb and roll up …
Numbered
Meeting GrannyBob 💕 Last week, I attempted a family tree for Thomas, tracing back through the generations still living on both sides of his family. He wasn’t necessarily following, but it was fun to write out all the names he knows and have him recognize them by their first letters. He has a great great …
Focusing On Fear
My grandson woke suddenly after midnight screaming, “I need you, Mommy, I need you!” I keep the monitor for her to get a good night’s sleep when I can, and sometimes I can console him. Sometimes he just needs his mommy to calm down. I’ve wakened from dreams with my heart literally racing. I’ve wakened …
Keep the Light On
Old school Christmas lights ran in series so that if one bulb burned out, the entire string went dark. If you could find the faulty bulb and replace it, the series was restored, but testing each bulb often wasn’t worth the effort. For years, I saved the spare bulbs provided with each light strand I …
A Fitting Reply 