Do You Have Grammy?
Treasures Along the Way
Sharon W. Betters
Today’s Treasure
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7
"Do you have Grammy?" asked our granddaughter as she poked her head into the van and looked around. Our family of 21 was piled into several cars to head to Downtown Disney and everyone in my car laughed out loud at eleven-year-old Katie's question. But Katie's serious and obvious concern started me thinking about how our grands might view us (OLD and needing oversight?).
The next day we experienced every parent's nightmare when one of our six-year-old twinnies melted into the Disney crowds and was missing for an eternity (at least five minutes). Some of the cousins cried tears of relief along with the adults when we saw her walking toward her Mommy.
After that terrifying experience, not one of the thirteen cousins objected when their parents demanded they stay close and connected to at least one adult. For the next few days all of us counted heads. During one of those counting moments, nine-year-old Mollie seriously remarked, "I'm keeping my eye on Grammy!"
I am passionate about legacy and passing on a biblical view to our children and grandchildren. So I know our grands are watching us, but watching out for us? Mollie's comment started me thinking again about how I viewed my grandparents at this age. From my childhood and teen seasons of life, they looked OLD!
I don’t mind if our grands see me as old. When I complain to Katie about my old age aches and pains, she consistently exhorts me, "Grammy, you're not old!" But....well, her little brother C.J. got my attention as we gobbled some fast food when he exclaimed with wonder, "I'm spending the day with an old person." My reply, "C.J., who are you talking about?" C.J. - "How old are you, Grammy?" Me: "64." C.J.: "Well, I'm five." His accompanying facial expression clearly communicated, "Enough said." Ok, so to some of my grands, I'm old. But do I really need someone to keep an eye on me? Well, maybe on some days.
LIFE GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Back to being watched over by our grandchildren. As Chuck and I walked into Hollywood Studios with three of them, Mollie pointed out the Sorcerer's Hat and said, "Mommy and Daddy told us that if we get separated from them, to come to the Sorcerer's Hat and they would find us." I smiled and asked, "Are you telling me that so that if you get lost, I'll know where to find you or are you worried about me getting lost?" Mollie smiled mischievously and replied, "Just sayin'..."
I'm thinking that our grands are not just watching us live life, they are now watching out for us, and I like it. But there might come a day when my world grows much smaller and I feel alone and forgotten. Aging and every ache in my body remind me, I don’t belong here. I’m on my way Home. As my hair and even skin grows thinner, I remember God’s view of graying heads:
Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.
Proverbs 16:21
The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
Proverbs 20:29
And His word reminds me, there is One Who is always watching over His beloved child:
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Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:6-7
May the promise of His presence encourage you today.
Adapted from a post on Treasures of Encouragement, October 2012
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.