Chicken Nuggets, No More Diapers, and Where is the Baby's Pacifier?

If you have heard peals of laughter and cries of despair the past few days, it is coming from our house.  All three grandchildren are staying the week -- ages three years, two years, and four months.  One is potty training this week and reveling that he gets to wear Thomas the Train "unn-ears."  (translation:  underwears) One is "playing" the piano with great gusto.  And we are enjoying the peace of a baby taking a nap. 

On Saturday, we were talking with them about animals and the sounds they make.  "What does the cow say, Howie?"  "EAT MORE CHICKEN!" he says with glee.  You can tell what is his favorite restaurant.

We also asked this two-year-old last evening if he would like to say the blessing.  "No, thank you," he said politely.  "I'm fine."

And at another meal he wanted to say the blessing.  He bowed his curly head and held his little hands together.  "Dear Jesus," he said.  "Gramma, Papa, Target.  AMEN."  It shows what he is thankful for.

I love spending time with these little ones.  Indeed, "Grandchildren are the crown of the aged," (Proverbs 17.6)  And very much my delight.   I also am very aware as a gramma that my responsibilities far exceed baking cookies, telling stories, and marching around and around the living room pretending we are in a parade playing horns.  In the Bible, God calls for us to pass on a spiritual legacy, to talk God that this next generation will know the LORD.

I make sure that every day that goes by, I tell them something about God.  If we are taking a walk or staring at the clouds, we talk about how God is the creator of the world.  We read Bible stories.  We recite Scripture verses they are learning.  We talk about how God is so good.   Jesus says, "Let the little children come unto me."  These are just baby steps in building a firm foundation.

And it is something they will never forget.

We will not hide them from their children,
but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the LORD,
     and His might,
and the wonders He has wrought.
...to teach to their children
that the next generation might know them,
        the children yet unborn,
and arise and tell them to their children,
so that they should set their hope in God...

                                 Psalm 78, 4, 6-7