Saturday Seeking - "On Becoming a Grandma"

It was a joy today to be able to spend time with my four grandchildren.  While the little guy was napping, the older three and I visited a quaint store in Williston called "Books on Broadway".  We enjoyed a treat at the soda fountain, then took some time browsing the books.  We decided to buy the youngest a book, since he didn't get a treat.  It was hard to concentrate on picking one out, however, as each of them was more interested in checking out the things they liked!

Back home, we ate pizza, played and took baths and showers while their mom and dad had a "date".  While in our granddaughter's bedroom, I noticed a couple of photo albums out, and decided to check them out.  What I found were pictures taken in the fall of 2005 when the oldest grandson was born.  It brought back lots of memories. . .including this writing.  May you find a message as we reminisce!


10/22/05 On Becoming a Grandma

It has been over six weeks now since I became “Grandma” to a cute little guy named Jeremiah Douglas Crosby.  He has brought great joy into my life, and has also been the source of new growth in my walk with the Lord.  It amazes me how God can use everything He brings into our lives to challenge and instruct us.

The first lesson Jeremiah taught me came the week before he was born.  I had a doctor appointment in Bismarck, so decided to take a few extra days and help Rebekah prepare for baby’s arrival.   We were able to stock the freezer with a number of different quick meals, along with a few treats for the new Dad to snack on.  When we weren’t cooking, we were busy doing cleaning.

After our cleaning spree was over, Wes told one of his friends his mother-in-law came and cleaned the whole apartment.  He said,  “She cleaned places we didn’t know were dirty and even places we didn’t know we could clean!”  Somehow it was more satisfying to me to clean someone else’s home, and I wanted to be as thorough as possible to prepare for the new life that would soon become a resident there.

While I was cleaning, the thought occurred to me it is also important to keep our spiritual homes clean and in order.  1 Corinthians 3:16 tells us we are God’s temple and His Spirit lives in us.  But often, instead of giving our own lives a good “fall cleaning”, we want to look at others and see what should be cleaned in their lives.

After Jeremiah was born, I took a week off work to stay with the new family and help out as only a Grandma can.  We were thankful we had done the major cleaning the week before, so we could focus on getting to know this new life God had blessed us with.  It was evident Jeremiah was totally dependent on others to meet his needs.  God had provided Jeremiah with a healthy cry to alert us when something needed attention.

Much in the same way, we are totally dependent on our Heavenly Father to meet our needs.  He has given us a means to cry out to Him through the avenue of prayer, and is always there to answer.  There were times we didn’t know exactly what Jeremiah needed, and we would do our best to figure him out.  God, however, is always aware of each need in our lives.  He knows not only the need, but also just what it will take to meet the need. 

This week’s seeking lesson is to take time to look at your own life.  Are there corners that need cleaning?  Is the dust accumulating and in need of God’s removal?  Remember it is not your position to criticize the cleanliness of someone else’s spiritual home.  God is working on each of us in His own time and His own way.  As you become aware of the needs in your life (and even when you don’t know what they are!) cry out to your Heavenly Father.  He is more than able to hear your cry, cradle you in His arms and provide just the answer you are looking for.