Something to Smile About

Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

Three weeks ago, while my husband, Danny, and I are at Jekyll Island, our oldest granddaughter, Virginia Rose, loses both of her front baby teeth.  This certainly changes her appearance, wouldn't you agree?

And every time I see them, two-year-old Savannah Jane and fourteen-month-old Alexandra Nancy have learned new words and gained new skills.

Savannah can't quite say "Gammie" yet - it comes out "Mimi," which is cute because it's Danny's mother's name!

And Alexandra?  Just the other day she said, "Thank you, Mama," to my daughter!  Just wow!

The girls may vary in looks and ages, but I see the common threads of joy and curiosity woven through all of them.  Just being around them always makes me smile!

While it's hard to see all our little grands growing up so fast, growth, and the changes it brings, is inevitable.  And though there will be an end to a child's physical growth one day, there is no limit to how much she or he can continue to grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Just as the Lord's compassion toward us is new every morning, we can look at each new day as an opportunity to learn new things, to expand our minds, and most importantly, move that much closer to God in faith and trust.

We can reawaken the wonder and curiosity of the child within us, looking at the seemingly ordinary things around us as if seeing them for the first time.  We can dare to have joy even in the midst of darkness and troubles.

Because we can rest assured of God's great love and unfailing compassion for His children, no matter how young or old we are.

And that's something to smile about!

Amen.