JULY 1, 2024
ON THE PORCH
WHILE HE SLEEPS
*I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1
Miss Ann Hill, my mentor for over 20 years, used to say, “You love your kids, but you LLLLOOOOOOVVVEEEEE your grandbabies.” She promised I’d understand one day, and she was not wrong.
Many times, as a parent, I was just trying to survive, teach the kids, feed them, bathe them, keep them safe, and make sure their needs were taken care of. I missed a lot of little miracles. As grandparents, we can step back, and the ordinary things become extraordinary, as we see the awe in the small feats again.
In the early morning hours before the world wakes, I find myself sitting at our kitchen table watching Wesley as he sleeps. Last month, he got himself worked into a panic in the middle of the night, and by the time Benny and I heard him crying, he was terribly upset.
So, the next shift, Benny shopped for an old walkie-talkie system to avoid this from happening again. Luckily for us, the little video cameras were just as cheap, so now I have a small portable monitor I carry with me to hear him if he rouses. I keep the little screen by my pillow when we go to bed, and I glance at it through the night while listening to the audio. This morning at 4:14 a.m., Wes cried out. I watched him for a few seconds, then he turned over and went back to sleep. So here I sit with my eyes glued to the display, watching him while he finishes his night of slumber.
**Because He bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:2
When Wes starts moving and the monitor lights up, I don’t turn the volume down or the screen off. I crank it up and lean in, fascinated to see what he will do next, not because he does anything spectacular, (although he’s a genius and everything he does is amazing — LOL), but because he is my grandbaby and every detail of his beautiful little life and personality matters to me. I love seeing him learn new things and experience the wonder of this world God created. I want to hear his cries, his giggles, and his chatter while he entertains himself. Those sounds delight my soul because Wesley is so precious to me. Grace and Noah have never once sent me a picture or video that I responded to, “Not interested.” This child is a little miracle, and I don’t want to miss a moment!
Neither does God ever mute my cries or excitement and turn His back with a response of, “Not listening,” when I call out to Him. No!!! He shares my sorrows and delights in my joy.
He bends down.
He leans in.
He pays attention.
** You hem me in behind and before,
and You lay Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain. Psalm 139:5-6
When Wes wraps his special blanket himself, stands up and calls out, I know he is ready to start his day. He knows he will not be left alone or ignored when he calls out. He has no doubt someone will come, and normally when we enter and say, “Good morning,” his first word is “Hi!!” I lift him out of his bed, and then carry him out of his room. Normally, he then lays his head on my shoulder, and we snuggle for a little bit. When this happens, I have one arm under his bottom, supporting his full weight, and the other placed on the back of his head, so he can feel my touch. He is fully enclosed by loving arms and his only job is to feel loved.
God surrounds me in the same way. He goes before me, preparing the way for things I cannot imagine. He walks beside me, holding me as I face daily challenges. And He has my back. He walks behind me, extinguishing arrows I am not aware of that are aimed my way. I never have to wonder if God will come to my rescue.
**Before a word is on my tongue
You, Lord, know it completely. Psalm 139:4
God doesn’t need a fancy system to alert Him when my heart is hurting or when I am on top of the world. He already knows. In fact, He knows before I do. And He responds as much as I will allow. He is never early, and He is never late. He always has perfect timing.
LORD God, I thank You for listening, when I whisper or when I cry out. Thank You for always being awake and attentive to my needs, my desires, and my heart cries. When the night is long, You’re right there with me, watching and waiting. The moment I stand up and call out, You bend down and reach for me. In those times my heart is hurting, and I just need to snuggle, You wrap me in Your arms and place Your reassuring hand on my head, reminding me that You’re in control and You will not abandon me. You know my struggles, even before I do. May I learn that my first response should be calling out to you, allowing You to carry me. Thank You for being faithful, LORD, and loving me as only You can. Thank You for blessing us with the family You have. Thank You for the little miracles You allow us to be witness to daily. I pray we will always be the grandparents You desire that points our family and others to You. I also thank You for the wonderful parents and family Wes and Teddy have, and the overwhelm of love and devotion they experience day in and day out. In Your precious and holy name, Amen.
THERE EVERY MOMENT (I say Yes)
**As I wrap finish this devo, Wes has played with his feet, played with his tub of hot wheels, and done his morning stretches. He chattered for a bit and made himself laugh. Now he has pulled the cover over his head and is headed back to sleep. This unexpected blessing has done our Crina and Grug hearts good. While Benny and I listened to him play, we were delighted to hear that sweet voice. What a beautiful way to start our week. 😊
ON THE PORCH 