We take walks – my grand and I. She loves taking a walk although there is no convincing her to go another route. She knows and points, directing “go over there” as we head out of the driveway.
I have nicknamed our walk. It’s – “The Shortest, Longest, and Least Amount of Exercise Walk” ever. Seriously.
The distance is short as it is down and around the cul-de-sac. It ‘s the longest as we we must stop numerous times along the way to look closely at something or other. And it certainly does not raise the heart rate, not one little bit, hence – no exercise.
However, it is always a most enjoyable walk!
One never knows what can be discovered and enjoyed on any given walk. It may be leaves, rocks, or sticks. It may be muddy puddles, flags, or for sale signs. It may be noisy trucks making their deliveries or dogwood tree blooms laying on the grass. Or it can be a ladybug that we follow ever so slowly as it walks down the street with us.
Life is interesting and adventuresome when seen through the eyes of a toddler.
The questions can be endless on our walk and about any subject:
- Colors (“I walking in the grass. Why the grass green? Green is my favorite color!”). That’s for the moment!
- Clouds. (“Where the clouds blowing?”)
- Bugs. (“Where the ladybug going”)
Her questions at times cause me to ponder at times. They remind me of other questions which were asked at one time:
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?“
“Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness?”
“Where does light come from, and where does darkness go?”
āHave you visited the storehouses of the snow or seen the storehouses of hail?”
āCan you direct the movement of the stars?”
“Who is wise enough to count all the clouds?”
Yes, these are a few of the questions God asked of Job to put into perspective the wisdom, the greatness, the creativity, and the sovereignty of our God.
We always bring back “treasures” which usually consist of sticks, rocks, pine cones, and leaves. But with the full arrival of spring, much of these have been raked up by the neighbors, much to her disappointment.
I may come back empty handed, but I always return with a full heart. And I return with the treasure of a reminder.
Job finally answered God, displaying humility, wisdom,ĆĀ and finally understanding:
“I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. āĖWho is this that hides counsel without knowledge?ā Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You.” (Job 42:1-5, NASB)
He is God alone.
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Lauren Sparks has been doing a series titledĆĀ Praying God’s Word Wednesday. This week she is encouraging us to pray for our kids and their companions.
Come, sit a spell. Bring your coffee, your posts, and your thoughts. If you link up, kindly visit those who have drawn up a seat around you.
Photo taken by: David Tommasino
Today I am joining …
Toddlers alert us to so many wonders we would otherwise miss. I love that we can see God’s hand in ladybugs and tiny flowers as well as stars and planets.
Toddlers are the best! It is amazing that we see God’s handiwork in the big and the little, the near and the far. I am most grateful each time she draws my attention.
Our aging eye has learned to stop seeing. I love that everything is new and worth wondering about when we walk with our little people.
I am so thankful for my little people. I have always said that toddlers are the best, and I truly feel that way about them. They help my aging eyes to see again! š
I remember taking “those” walks with Hannah and Simon as toddlers. They are truly the best ever. The years go by so fast. Hannah will 25 and Simon turns 18 this week. Yikes!
Susan, yes š the years go by so fast. May you still enjoy some deep conversations with Hannah and Simon as I know you are investing into each their lives!
I can imagine you and your sweet granddaughter strolling around the cul-de-sac, Joanne. Hopefully those walks will continue and get longer and longer as she grows up. š I’m guessing her questions will get deeper too, and maybe that will be the best part!
Lois, you are so right! May we cherish each stage of their growth and every minute we get to invest in their lives.
Joanne such a sweet post! I have a 2 year granddaughter who loves being outside, not so much for walks yet though! But oh the wonder we see through their eyes, sometimes I think about the questions God asked Job, from the perspective of why do I stop “seeing” or discovering all He has for me!
Yes! Those questions certainly shifted my perspective as well.
I remember the joy the twins felt when they discovered ladybugs! (Really, they were Asian beetles at the time.)
Oh, to see things with the eyes of a toddler!
When I found a stinkbug in the house the other day, she did not want me to “squoosh” it. So I had to be very gentle with it and we watched it flush down the toilet as it likes to swim š
Seeing through a child’s eyes, and even teen children can teach so much, as you say. Sometimes, I’m amazed at how my grandchildren and even my adult children teach me things. When I taught Sunday School, and a youth group some years ago, God taught me things through them. To spend a day with a child is the best gift from God.
They truly are the best gift! I am continually amazed at what I learn from little ones. They are my joy!
These words did my heart good today. Thank you so much, Joanne, for sharing.
Grateful they did.
I treasure those walks I used to have when my grandchildren were toddlers. Your post reminded me of the verse from Matthew: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.āĀ
Thank you for adding that Scripture, Laurie. May we receive the little ones and become as little ones!