Becoming Grandma

I became a Grandma on January 21 in Louisville, KY. My son and his wife celebrated the birth of their first child, Andrew Marshall Downs, 5lbs. 3oz., and 19 in. long. The pregnancy was high-risk because my daughter in law developed a blood clot in the groin area. Everything had to be tailored around her blood thinner during the birthing. We were up 3 days straight. Finally, I went into the hospital chapel, knelt down and prayed a quick prayer, “Lord, I’ve had enough. You are going to have to do something.” Within an hour, a healthy baby boy was delivered. Being there at the delivery and becoming a Grandma is priceless.

Andrew came fresh from heaven and our Heavenly Father’s Presence. God has placed a ‘seed of need’ for Jesus within Andrew’s heart already. His giftings and calling are calculated, too. Nothing has been forgotten or left to chance. Andrew has been placed here for a specific purpose. It will be up to Andrew to draw close to God as he grows and matures in this life. As Andrew draws near, God will be able to reveal the wonderful plan He has for Andrew’s life.

Becoming a Grandma will remain a great blessing for years to come. However, this honor does not come with fun and games alone. There are responsibilities attached. As a grandparent, I need to make sure that Andrew hears and understands the richness of the Bible. I need to share my experiences of faith and the wisdom I have gained. And…I need to tell him about the miracles I have seen and the value of fervent prayer. If I do not teach Andrew about the love of Jesus and help him to experience a life in God’s Presence, then I will be in danger of robbing him of a life of joy and peace in the Lord along with the destiny God has planned for him. Worldly wisdom will invade but I want him to have a godly foundation in place so that he can choose his direction wisely.

Do you have children around you that need to know the love of God? They may or may not be your own family. It doesn’t really matter. Children everywhere need good Christian counsel. The older generations need to help the younger generations to know these basic truths:

1.    God is real and wants to be in a close relationship with each of us.

2.    Jesus loves everyone no matter what and sacrificed his life for our salvation and other benefits.

3.    The Holy Spirit will teach us how to expedience the abundant life through our Christ-like character development.

We all need to consider where our responsibility lies in teaching the young ones the faith. If we don’t share, then how will they know? Not telling the little ones about Jesus would be like keeping them from the one who loves them the most.

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, let little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” 

Luke 18:16

When God sends the gift of a child, sharing the love of Christ with them is safeguarding the gift and helping the gift return back to Him eternally. You witness of love will mean everything to the one who gets to hear.

The Gift That Multiplied

Temple Baptist, Philadelphia, PA This story of a brave young girl came across my desk the other day and I thought it was worth sharing. So many times we do not think that our small amounts will ever make a difference but as we see here, Hattie May's 57 cents gift left her with a legacy. A first-hand account of the story of Hattie May Wiatt is in a sermon delivered December 1, 1912 by Russell H. Conwell, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Philadelphia.  Hattie May lived near the church where the Sunday School was very crowded. Rev. Conwell told her that one day they would have buildings big enough to allow everyone to attend who wanted to.  Later, Hattie May Wiatt became sick and died.  Rev. Conwell was asked to do the funeral. The girl's mother told the reverend  Hattie May had been saving money to help build a bigger church and then gave him the little purse in which Hattie May had saved 57 cents. This was in 1886 when 57 cents was no small savings account for a little girl from a poor family. Rev. Conwell turned the 57 cents into 57 pennies. Then he told the congregation the story of little Hattie May and sold the pennies for a return of about $250.  Later, 54 of the original 57 pennies were returned to Rev. Conwell. He later put them on display.   Some of the members of the church formed what they called the Wiatt Mite Society which was dedicated to making Hattie May's 57 cents grow as much as possible and to buy the property for the Primary Department of the Sunday school. Eventually, a house nearby was purchased with the $250 that Hattie May's 57 cents had produced and the rest is history.  The first classes of Temple College, later Temple University, were held in that house.  It was later sold to allow Temple College to move and the growth of Temple, along with the founding of the Good Samaritan Hospital (Now the Temple University Hospital) have been powerful testimonies to Hattie May Wiatt's dream.....and what God can do with only 57cents. God can do the miraculous with whatever you have to give. No gift is ever to small or too unimportant for God not to notice the effort made in giving it. This Christmas, give something special to God and see what wondrous things He can do. Merry Christmas!