Anointed Thought

Valuing A Grandmother’s Touch

Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.  ~ 1 John 3:18

One night during a visit from my mother, I went to turn the light off in my  twin sons’ room.  As I reached for the switch, I heard one of my sons say, “Don’t turn it off, Mom.  We’ll get it.”  His voice came from his brother’s side of the room.  Caught off guard a bit, I looked in to see what was going on.  From under the covers popped three heads…two little ones and one adult sized one.  All three laughing.

“We’re praying, Mom,” one of my sons chuckled.

“Yeah, Mom,” the other one said.  “We’ll turn the light off when we’re finished.”

My Mom said, “We’ll be finished in just a moment.  I’ll turn the light off on my way out.”

A bit concerned, I said, “Mom, don’t let the boys keep you up.  You need to get some sleep.”

“Oh, Drea!” she said, “This is how we do it! We’ll be fine. Now, let us finish.”

There was a time when I would have left the room pouting a bit thinking my mother was not acknowledging my authority as a mother.  Not this time.  This time I saw a welcomed touch of love that I pray will forever rest in my sons’ hearts.  As they are getting older, I realize that sometimes they may need to talk to someone other than me or my husband.  If one of those people can be my mother, their grandmother, what a beautiful example of family love that would provide for them.

I don’t, to this day, know what they prayed that night.  But, about fifteen minutes after I left them with the lights still on, I heard my mother tip-toeing downstairs.  The voices of my children called out to her until she likely couldn’t hear their pledges of  “Goodnight. I love you, Mee-Maw” anymore.

I said my own prayers that night.  Among them was one of gratitude for a mother who had such a heart for her grandchildren that she would crawl in bed with them, pull covers over their heads and take them before the throne of the Lord in prayer.  Should they have gotten on their knees?  I didn’t even bother to entertain the thought.  Instead, I made a note to remember to do the same with my children in the future and – if I’m really good – I’ll know to do the same with their children should the Lord so bless me to live to see them.

Family members who love and care for us and our children are blessings.  Grandparents, especially, who love with full hearts and open arms are valued gems that we should all treasure.  If you have someone in your life who shows you and/or your children unconditional love, thank them for their care and find a way to return it in such a way that your children will know to value love and not take it for granted.

I am not certain if my children remember that night with my mom.  She has given them so many other precious memories.  I will, however, forever hold it dear thanking God and her for such a beautiful example of  loving children their way. I, too, now want to exclaim “this is how we do it!”  as often as I can.  I pray I do it with the beauty, grace, laughter, peace and love of my mother.  Thanks for doing it the way you do it, Mom.  Your way is a beautiful way.