Our youngest granddaughter is with us four days a week while her parents work. Not having typical work hours, she stays with us into the evening.
Once supper is over and the kitchen is cleaned up, she asks to go play “shadows” in my bedroom. She gets her small flashlight from the draw, and her treasure map, and down the hall we go.
We make shadows with the flashlight, and after a bit, her imagination takes over. We “fish” off the side of our bed, we use our binoculars to look for sea creatures, and might even go for a swim. We may lay on our backs on the floor and camp out, watching for the light of the moon and stars, or even a shooting star.
Recently as we lay on our back, yes, all three of us, she was in the middle between my husband and I. We were watching TV while on the floor, but in her imagination, we were camping out in our sleeping bags, watching TV on a computer.
She’s not even paying attention to the television as she is making conversation with us about the important aspects of life to a toddler:
- “Why does it have to be dark to make shadows?”
- “Are we going to go on vacation soon?”
- “Can we go to the Disney castle for vacation?”
- “Can we sleep in the castle when we go?”
She gets quiet and I thought perhaps she is watching the PBS program now for a bit. But then she turns to me, and pokes my nose as she says, “Mimi, I love you so much!” She rolls to the other side, pokes my husband’s nose and says, “Poppy, I love you too!”
But then the most amazing words come out of her mouth. She pokes her own nose and says, “And I love myself!”
I have been thinking of the night for several days now. The statement was not one made from an air of superiority. Her words revealed a contentment and acceptance of herself.
The statement stemmed from knowing she was loved, and then loved others. It was the overflow of a heart of love, and it has brought a few lessons:
- We need to know and be confident that we are loved by God. “The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness” (Jeremiah 31:3, NASB).
- We need to love God in return. “And He said to him, “”˜You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
(Matthew 22:37, NASB)
“I love You, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised.”
(Psalm 18:1-3, NASB)
Let’s admit it – There are times we just get tired and weary. But God promises to give new strength to those who wait upon Him. ““Whatever circumstances we find ourselves in today, may we choose to meet with the Living God in the secret place ”“ for when we draw near to God, He is faithful to draw near to us.” Read the entire post by Lisa Blair HERE and be encouraged.
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 by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Today I may be joining …
Playing shadows is so precious, Joanne! You are sowing love and wonderful memories in her heart and mind. What a privilege! And what a beautiful testimony to hear she knows she is loved!
They are memories I will cherish! Each granddaughter has brought us love and memories to hold onto.
Such a sweet story, Joanne! Oh the beauty of a child’s love. And such a good object lesson for us to remember just how valuable and beloved we are to God! Thank you for this reminder today!
Donna, that is so it – we need to be reminded of how we are valued and loved by God. In that, we will find our security and not be moved.
Beautiful! How often young children point to the most powerful truths to remind us of what too often skip over or fail to remember.
Amen! I love the lessons children bring to my life!
Your granddaughter sounds delightful. I love her imagination. I smiled all the way through your post. How blessed she is to have grandparents who all her to develop and share her imagination!
She is delightful 🙂 and her imagination is something to experience. I hope the Lord continues to spark her thoughts and use it all to bring Him honor!
Oh, I love this! What a sweet granddaughter.
What a lovely, lovely post. As a Mimz’ you know how I feel about grandparenthood and the glorious memories it builds!
I know you know, Susan! I see yours holding onto their memories and the way it binds you all together. We are blessed, Mimz!
Joanne, what a precious story and I loved every bit of it. She is blessed to know she is loved by you and God. Brought me such encouragement and joy this morning.
Thank you, Deborah. I’m grateful it brought you encouragement and joy and reminded you of just how loved you are by God! Thank you for sharing your posts with me each week!
What a sweet moment with your granddaughter. How much love must she have received to feel so secure in knowing she is loved and in expressing love to others.
Barbara, it was a moment for me I will never forget. It was just precious!
So wondrous she has learned to love herself as a toddler! May she always do so! (And love others as well – but how can we love others if we don’t love ourselves?)
Jerralea, you hit it on the head! How, indeed, can we love others if we don’t love ourselves?
What a special moment, Joanne. How I wish every child had that.
Yes, I truly wish the same! May we love deeply on the little ones God places in our lives. It’s where we can begin.
Awww, Joanne, this is the sweetest story about your grand daughter. I hope she holds onto that love for herself through the coming years. Having a heart of love””that understands it is loved and is able to love others””is such an important component of who we are.
Awww, I love this post Joanne! So very precious.
Blessings sweet friend, Jennifer 💖
Oh my gosh, Joanne, your grandaughter’s statement “poked” me too. How precious that she loves and loves herself. May we always know we are loved by God and love him back. Itn’t is something how we can be prompted to take heart and learn something from a precious child.
{{Hugs}}
It’s so delightful to see God’s love through the heart of a toddler. I spend a lot of time with and sometimes watching our two great-grandbabies, ages 3 and 1 1/2. They love us so wholeheartedly and are heart-broken sometimes when we have to leave them. But they are learning to trust that we will see each other again soon. It warms my heart just to think about them. God has been so gracious to allow us to spend this time with them.
Children have so much to teach us! Thank you for sharing this uplifting moment bathed in love!
Aw, Joanne … you’re an awesome Mimi! I can’t help but think all the time your granddaughter gets to spend with you and her grandpa contributes to her love for herself. I think it’s easier to love yourself when you know you are unconditionally loved by the important people in your life. 🙂