Grandparent-grandchildren relationships are truly magical. It's about fun, making memories, and unconditional love. My youngest grandsons are all over me. They can't wait for me to arrive, and they can't bear it when I have to leave. They're literally all over me. They run to me. They want to hold my hand when we walk. They love to horseplay with their Papa B. Last night one of them grabbed my cap and sunglasses and, well, a picture is worth a thousand words.
The other night when we were watching fireworks in town, one of them sat down on my lawn chair a little bit too, let's say, eagerly, and broke the mesh. Who cared? I sat down, and when my bottom hit the ground beneath the chair with a thruuuump, everyone got a good laugh out of it, me included. Gave me a good opportunity to tell the grandkids that when we took our own kids camping every summer I invariable broke at least one camp chair on the trip. So you've got a busted chair. You can always get a new chair. You can't get a new grandkid. The funniest part is when it's time for me to go. They'll think of any excuse to keep me from leaving. They will resort to hilarious, tactical, and always exaggerated methods to block the exit. Love it!
There are two things I'm trying to teach my grandkids whenever I visit with them. Number one: Papa B loves you just the way you are. And number two, I want to be a good role model to them of what Jesus is like. I can just see kids walking all over Jesus' sandals while picking their noses and doing what kids do. The disciples see this and begin rebuking the parents to get their kids out of here. "This is the King of the Universe! Don't yank on his robe! Don't get sand on him! And for crying out loud, stop picking your noses!" They shoved the kids away. But Jesus called them back and said, "Leave the kids alone. Don't get between me and these children. They are the kingdom's pride and joy."
Jesus turned societal norms upside down.
He welcomed children and blessed them. He always treated them with profound gentleness and love.
God delights when we approach him with simplicity and absolute dependence on his goodness. When we mess up, he never sends us away. He is eager to forgive and eager to give us rest. He invites us to come to him anytime, anyplace, just as we are, with complete confidence that we will be accepted. He is the perfect Father!