Virginia Rose's Most Excellent Adventure

Psalm 54:4
Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.

My granddaughter, Virginia Rose, is enamored with this plastic ball you can see in the photo above.  When we flip the switch, it lights up, sings songs, and teaches various words and sounds.

Lots of entertainment wrapped into one toy!

So, when Virginia comes over to spend the afternoon with her Gammie, she brings the ball with her.  Even when we go outside, where sticks and stones garner her attention, the ball sits by her side.

For the first time, Virginia notices the gate which, when opened, leads to the front yard our long, sloping driveway.  She actually tries to open it herself!  I can tell, she's up for a walk, even though it is precariously close to her nap-time.

I oblige, knowing I must stay with her every step of the way.  Especially, since the ground, until we reach the driveway, is uneven.  Littered with roots and rocks that can easily trip up a toddler.

Particularly one who won't let go of her precious ball!

  We make it to the driveway, but not before she stumbles twice and I catch her.  Once on the concrete, her little feet find their footing, and off she goes!


Up, up, up the steep, steep drive.


As I follow right on her heels, hands at the ready to break any possible fall.  And, I can't help but wonder how these tiny legs, so determined, can move so deftly up the precipitous slope.


We make it to the top of the driveway without incident.


But, Virginia doesn't want to stop there.


Oh, no!


She enters the quiet cul-de-sac, still toting the ball, and ventures even further uphill.


It's then, I realize, that what goes up must come down.  We can't go too far, or she will be exhausted and I will have to carry her back to the house.


"Virginia," I say, "We need to stop now and go back.  Give Gammie your ball so I can hold your hand down the hill."


This a far from welcomed suggestion to my granddaughter.  She really does not want to release it to me or to anybody, for that matter.


However, in turning around and trying to hold onto the ball at the same time, gravity intervenes.


Her ball slips from her grasp and hurtles with break-neck speed down the hill and curves, thankfully, just in time to find the driveway.


"Uh, oh!"  Virginia sounds the alarm.  "Uh, oh!"


"Don't worry, Virginia," I say, grasping her hand firmly so she won't fall during our descent.  "Gammie will find your ball.  It will be alright."


She trusts me.  Clings tightly to my hand.  Walks with little steps as I caution her to.  Waits obediently at the bottom of the driveway while I retrieve the ball from a mound of leaves.


Her most excellent adventure has a happy ending.


In a most excellent nap-time.

Are you trusting God to sustain you?  To catch you if you fall?


Please join me in prayer:
Thank You, Father, for being our steadfast help in times of trouble and for sustaining us in all things.  We are so glad You are there to catch us when we fall.  Lead us in Your paths for Your righteousness sake.  Amen.


Readings
Psalms 40, 54 or 51
Exodus 34:18-35
1 Thessalonians 3:1-13
Matthew 5:27-37