HANGING OUT WITH THE GRANDS

“Hey anybody here want a new pair of boots?” I yelled as I opened the door. I had just arrived at my daughter’s house to take my grandson boot shopping. I had ordered a pair off Amazon for Christmas, but it seems his feet had grown since then… and now the largest kids’ sized boots no longer fit. 

Bananacakes!!!! Now to head off to the Boot Barn and find the cheapest pair of small adult-sized boots. 

You know it’s all a conspiracy. The boot company is in secret cohoots with Amazon. “Just get those g’mas to buy those cute looking boots during Christmas. We’ll only make kid sizes so big. Eh -eh-eh, the kids will be so excited for their boots, that when she exchanges them for the right size it will appease her sticker-shock.”

Actually, it was a sweet time. 

I picked up Ishmael (so named because his brother’s name is Judah and they wanted little Ishie to be a testament to God’s love for the world!!) And he is. You should hear him sing!! He belts out in worship with a whole heart, not exactly on key but with a whole lot of love and passion. If you are sitting anywhere near him, you can’t miss him. Ha!!!!

He tried on some boots, and we found just the perfect pair. His eyes lit up and I couldn’t resist.  He is now the proud owner of a super cool pair of cowboy boots which he will grow into by April or May. 

After a gazillion thank yous, we ran to Paradise Bakery and picked up some yummy cookies to enjoy on the way home and a few extra to surprise the family. 

When we arrived home, Maranatha (youngest of the sibs) asked if I was going to their basketball game. Hmmm, come to think of it, my hubby and I have been to several varsity games, but not one game for the littles. 

I called Lance and the game was afoot. 

My son-in-law grabbed the younger basketball players and off they went to suit up for the game.  

“Hey, Mimi can I ride with you?” asked fifteen-year-old Lydia. (Is the sky blue?) “Of course,” I said. Soon granddaughter and Mimi were off to the games. 

We chatted about music, school and friends. Then I remembered that she had recently attended the PASSION CONFERENCE. 

“Hey, Sweetie. How did you like the conference?” I asked. 

She beamed. “Oh Mimi, I loved it. The speakers were amazing!” 

She shared a couple of stories that were so encouraging to her. My favorite was from a young man who worked at a taco restaurant. In the mornings as he went out the door, he would throw up a quick prayer. “LORD, bless me as I head to work.” The next day, same prayer. “Bless me, LORD.” This went on for a few days, until one morning he paused and said…”Oh yeah, and if you want to use me. Great!”

He said, when he showed up at work a co-worker came running into the room huffing and puffing and saying, “You’ve got to tell me about God!” 

He was like”...what? Ahh, okay…” Started to talk about the LORD when he stopped him and said, “Wait! Let me grab a friend.”

He grabbed his friend. Still a bit bewildered, he talked about God and shared the gospel!! 

Apparently, the night before the two friends had watched an alien movie. Scared them spitless. They looked at each other and said, “We need to know more about God!” 

The speaker turned to the crowd and said, “You know. God can use you… even if you work in a taco restaurant!!!” And the crowd cheered. 

I’m so grateful to spend time with my grands and so proud of my children. Believe me, they have surpassed me in every way. But I can say with confidence that as I have prayed for God to fill my gaps with His grace, He has…and I have tasted the goodness of God. 

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.” 3 John 4