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Lessons from an Infant-Turned-Toddler
By Shirley McDonald
November 15, 2004
How quickly two years
pass when you are having such fun watching your grandson grow from an infant to
an extremely verbal and active toddler! Oh, by the way, he is also extremely
intelligent and quite possibly the smartest 23-month-old toddler in the entire
world.
I suppose that the hearts
of grandmothers everywhere (even those who aren’t blessed with a grandchild so
far above average!) melt when their grandchild runs across the yard with his
hands outstretched, yelling excitedly, “MiMi, MiMi!,” and then jumps into her
arms and gives a bear hug. How our loving God’s heart must similarly be touched
when we come into His presence with the same excitement and love shown by
Lane—and how we often are just too busy to take the time to show God that we do
love Him.
Seeing the World Anew
When Lane and I
are in the car by ourselves, we keep up a running commentary, discussing such
deep philosophical subjects as the color of that big truck and the pretty
flowers and the wondrous leaves on the trees. Seeing the world anew through a
toddler’s eyes is much like seeing the Word of God anew through the eyes of a
new convert. Even the scriptures I have heard all my life become fresh when
viewed from a new perspective.
Comforting Arms
Unfortunately,
Lane recently had to endure an emergency room visit that ended with a painful
medical procedure. That evening Lane quickly learned that when a doctor or
nurse walked into the room that pain would soon follow. Therefore, as soon as
he heard the sounds of the door handle being turned, he would begin to moan with
dread. Between these unpleasant visits, Lane stayed wrapped tightly in his
mother’s arms, clinging to his source of love, nurture, and comfort. Even
though she could not prevent the painful procedure that would ultimately make
him better, Mommy could be his comfort during the pain. So does our God provide
comfort and love for us when we are in painful life situations. There was no
way around the pain for Lane, and often there is no way around the pain and
grief we must endure. Yet God will be there for us to cling to, with His arms
wrapped tightly around us.
It’ll Be All Right
Because of his
unpleasant experiences, Lane now is afraid of all the visits to the doctor’s
office. During his last visit, Mommy was trying to prepare him for the doctor
to come into the examination room by telling him, “It will be okay, Lane. The
doctor is going to help you to get better. Everything will be all right.” When
the doctor walked into the room, Lane looked at the doctor and began to sob,
“It’ll be all right, Mommy, it’ll be all right.” Although he was terrified of
what would happen, Lane was clinging to the words of his mommy, who had assured
him that everything would be all right. When we Christians are in uncertain
situations, we, too, can cling to words of comfort from God’s Word that
everything will be all right for us. After all, “…I will never leave you, nor
forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
ninetyandnine.com
©
2004, Shirley McDonald
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Shirley McDonald
is having so much fun with her grandson. She often neglects her schoolwork so
that she can play and learn from him.
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