Where do I begin in telling this story? How can I convey the gentle touches God gives me through my more than wonderful grandson, Jude? Only through God. Thank You, my precious Heavenly Father, for this gift of infinite value!
My grandson, Jude is into cars, trucks, tractors, rockets, anything fast, sports and hunting. He has a few favorite super heroes he loves to mimic and he wants to be a fireman when he grows up so he can rescue babies. He used to say he wanted to be a fireman so he could put out fires and rescues cats out of trees. Rescue babies… he just recently started saying that, at least as far as I know. Was it his way of saying he misses his little sister who is now in heaven? Could it be that Jude, the protective big brother wished he could have rescued Briley Faith? Well, one day this past week Jude, my little super hero fireman rescued me…
This past week I just started babysitting a sweet 9-month old little girl named Ava. I thought I had prepared my emotions. Although I tried my best to not go back to December 11, 2012, the day Briley Faith graced heaven, there I was in the midst of sadness brought on from the “my wants” moments. I wanted to hold my granddaughter in these arms so bad, feed her, rock her, cuddle with her, have tea parties and teach her how to bake. But, that was not in God’s plan.
Since Jude had never met Ava, when I dropped him off at preschool I told him that when I pick him up I will be bringing a new little friend. Her mom had dropped her off and we are now headed out to pick up Jude. My new little passenger is seated in her car seat next to Jude’s car seat in the back. We are now parked waiting for school to let out. I was contemplating on how Jude would do. I knew he would be gentle and kind because I have seen him that way with other babies; but that day just seemed different. Probably because I was missing my granddaughter. My thoughts are interrupted by the sounds of little girls and boys laughing and playing in the yard; a signal that the door has opened. There he is standing at the door looking and waiting for Granna. Jude runs out as soon as he gets a glimpse of me at the bottom of the steps! He was very excited to see his new friend. They are buckled in and we head home. Quietly I’m enjoying what I am seeing in my rearview mirror. Without talking, Jude is looking over at Ava with a continuous smile on his face. He is trying out all kinds of smiles; the crooked smile, the all teeth smile, the tight lipped smile and the puffy cheek smile! He is so funny! Then, he gently touches her. He says, “Granna, I touched her cheek! She won’t smile. Why won’t she smile?” I realized he was trying every smile style he could just to make her smile! I said, “She is probably just trying to figure out who her new friend is.”
It is quiet again until…
Suddenly, Jude lifts his hand up to the sky with the “I love you” sign and says out loud, “I love you Briley. I love you Briley Faith!” He has done this before; just out of the blue acknowledges his little sister. But this time immediately he looks over at Ava and proudly states, “I have a baby sister.” He wants to make sure she knows this very important fact. Without warning, silent tears stream down my face. I am thankful he can’t see. Quiet remains.
God did this. The only time I ever mention Briley Faith to Jude is if he talks about her first. Today was no different; he was not prompted in our conversation at all. That is how I know this was from God.
This wasn’t just any drive home for me. It was driving home a lesson I continue to learn…
Through my tears that started that morning with the “my wants”, I began thinking of how Jude tried everything he could and every type of smile to make his new friend happy. It reminded me of life as God’s child. He puts all types of smiles all around me. The laughter smile, the flower smile, the “I’m not hungry and have a roof over my head” smile, the family and friends smile, the Jude smile, the 61 beautiful, purposeful days with Briley Faith smile, and so many more! God gives me so much to smile about! Thinking upon those treasures distracted me from “my wants” and my tears began to dry.
As mentioned by our associate pastor, “If we don’t have Christ in our life we have no power.” Sometimes I need reminders to get my thoughts back on Christ and tap into His power for my needs.
My grandson, my little super hero fireman reminded me again of God’s faithfulness, strength, love and mercy; power that always turns my tears into smiles.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
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