As you may have noticed, I write about whatever I’m experiencing on a given day. Since I’m moving into week 2 of staying with my daughter after the birth of my grandson, my topics seem to be singularly focused right now. Just wanted to say that, if you’re new here, this is not solely a grandparenting blog, even though it may seem like it for a while! 🙂

This right here is magical to me. It is music and goodness and light, and the stuff of grandparenting dreams.

My husband is better with toddlers and young kids than with babies. He loves the babies, don’t get me wrong, but he relates better to children that will respond to him, and, well, seem less breakable! Since Lilli is coming up on 3 now, and in that delightful “play ‘is me” stage, he’s eating it up! They’ve played chase and ball and she’s spent more time in the air than on the ground. What you hear in that link is the age-old favorite, tickle monster. In short, they’ve had a lot of fun together.

In my opinion, it’s impossible not to delight in your grandchildren. I know there are those whose experience has been different, as their grandparents have been distant and detached, or even uninterested. Truly, I don’t get it. Really, I don’t get not delighting in children, period. They are the very best of humanity, with open minds, completely forgiving hearts, and they take every person as they are, seeing only the best. They are, as yet, untainted by the world, and are completely trusting, going all in with their belief. Is it any wonder that Christ says we need to be like them to enter heaven? With all the knowledge we amass over the course of a lifetime, the experience and time spent growing, we are closest to heaven when we strip it all away and return to a childlike perspective.

Yesterday, I went in to Lilli’s room when she woke up, and she took my face in her hands and said, “Mimmie, I yuv to see you.” Delightful, right? It was pure and real because she doesn’t really know how to be any different. I’m thankful for the capacity to return to that mindset – that heartset – so that, when I get to heaven, I can tell Jesus how much I love to see Him, and He’ll know I mean it.

And, truly? I bet His heart will thrill with delight.

““Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14 ESV

““Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 ESV

“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17 NLT