the wonderful world of grandchildren

Eleven grandchildren.  The Old Testament talks about a "full quiver"  I guess we have that.

A "full quivcr" of what?

 Q-UESTIONS--it's important to reveal the hidden truth--we don't know everything.  But grandchildren have inquiring minds and will ask an incredible range of questions about things that only time reveals may not be answered!  When we have the right answer, we are instant heroes and established points of reference!

U-NLIMITED POTENTIAL--it's immediately apparent in each of our eleven grandchildren that they have the capacity to accomplish great things if they will take advantage of the opportunities afforded them.  We watch them play soccer, basketball, hockey, mountain bike, dance, ride horses, play instruments, recite poetry, ride skate boards, act, sit in church, read aloud, quote memorized scripture verses...and we are amazed at what they can already do...and wonder what will they do.

I-NDIVIDUALITY--it's challenging to take note of how different each of the eleven are.  Some compliant, some strong-willed.  Some social, some more content to be alone.  Some artistic, some athletic.  Some book-worms, some "outdoorsy".  Some expressive, some quiet.  Some a combination of all of the above, depending on the situation.  But all special in their own unique way.

V-ITALITY--it's like they never get tired.  They start early in the morning and go strong until their batteries wear down at night.  Even then, they fall asleep unintentionally and have to be carried to their beds.  But throughout the day you can see it--this spark of life and freshness, and innocence fed by every new experience they encounter as they discover the world around them.-

E-FFORT--it's exciting to see how kids keep trying.  I watched one of my grandchildren try an aggressive move on the skateboard ten times in a row, falling several times,  until he got it.  And then he did it again just to make sure he got it!  Some of our grandchildren have memorized lengthy poems for school, reciting the lines hundreds of time until they get them perfectly.  Our seven year old recited a poem perfectly that I think had sixteen complicated stanzas.  He recited it aloud three times just int he few days I was with him, practicing until he perfected it.  The kids throw the baseball back and forth hundreds of times, , practice moves on their hockey skates, play repetitive scales on their instruments--this and much more with great discipline and effort.  It's just part of growing up, I guess.

R-ESILIENCE--it's soon to be learned that you can't win every game, finish first in every race,  get straight A's every report card, have everybody like you all the time, avoid conflict, obey all the rules perfectly, complete every assignment on time--sooner or later their humanity appears and they are forced to confront it--often emotionally, even tearfully.  But give them a  few minutes.  they are resilient, and in a matter of time they will reappear, ready to go at life again with a smile of anticipation.

The wonderful world of grandchildren is only surpassed by the wonderful world of grandparents.  We get to stand by and watch, and, hopefully, give counsel and encouragement.  I love that role and look forward watching my grandchildren become all that god intends for them to be.

That's my prayer.  And I think my role is to be a participant in that process as God directs me.

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