Over the past few years my husband Paul and I have discovered the word “no” is suddenly missing from our vocabularies—at least when it comes to our grandchildren.
Many times we’ve received a phone call, “Grandmama (or Granddaddy), will you come see us tonight?” And we usually drop whatever plans we have and do just that. We can’t resist those sweet little ones.
We spend a lot of time together on family vacations, dinners, church events, and they often come to our house to spend a few hours. We also love to take them on dates one at a time where we can give them special attention.
I travel to speak at conferences and for writing and film industry events, and Paul often goes to see the grandbabies while I’m gone. I think he enjoys getting all the attention from them!
On one of those evenings recently when I was away, Paul went to our oldest son’s house for dinner. He played “bear” with the kids, on his hands and knees, growling while they ran from the bear, laughing and squealing in excitement.
He helped them eat their dinner and then got sweet snuggles—one child tucked on each side of him and one on his lap—while they watched a movie together.
And then as the evening ran late, he said, “Granddaddy’s got to go home now.”
That’s when our oldest granddaughter, Anna (age 6), looked up at him with sad eyes and said, “Granddaddy, don’t go. I don’t get to see you enough.”
That brought tears to my eyes when Paul told me about it. I love that they want to spend time with us just as much as we want to spend time with them, and that they miss us when they don’t get to see us.
Read More: Mornings with Jesus Devotional
You know what, sweet friends? God feels the same way when we don’t spend time with Him. I wonder how many times He’s said, “I don’t get to see you enough,” how many times He’s grieved because we didn’t have time for Him?
And we are the ones who miss out when we don’t snuggle close to Him for hugs from heaven. Those extra close bonds can only be formed when we are intimate with someone, and the same is true with God.
Today would be a perfect time to give Him a call, to say “Will You come see me today?” And I have no doubt that the God who loves us so much that He gave His life for us will be delighted at the invitation.
Seek the Lord and his strength, seek His face continually. (I Chronicles 16:11)
