Sabotaged Sabbath!

Ecclesiastes 11:9
You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring you into judgment.

Even in my shower Sunday morning, I have misgivings.  I'm not sure we can make it to the 9:45 service on time, no matter how much we hurry.  And to know me is to know how much I detest rushing!  Being retired, I believe, has a component of in-the-moment-laid-back-ness that is as contagious as the common cold.

Oldest granddaughter, Virginia Rose, is staying with us, and she isn't so easy to rouse up early either.  Then comes an unanticipated text from her mother, Sarah:  "John just got called into work.  He really needs to be there.  Can he bring Savannah and Alexandra over after he drops me for my lunch shift at O'Charley's?"

Okay, that settles it.  Sabbath is officially sabotaged!  We must prepare for an unexpected, and anything but restful, Sunday instead.  "Of course, we can help," I message back.

I turn to Virginia.  "Looks like you're going to have to put up with your sisters much sooner than you thought."

"What do you mean, Gammie?"

"Daddy will be dropping them off shortly so he can go to work.  Will you help me out with them if I need you to?"

"Sure," she says, though I know she'd much prefer playing with her tablet, on which she is currently creating animated shorts.  I have yet to figure out how Virginia does it, but in lieu of reading an actual book, I know her imagination is being fully engaged by this activity.  In light of this, I am so grateful for her confirmation of assistance.

Husband, Danny, and I know just how rambunctious and energetic our youngest grands can be, so we steel our nerves, preparing for the worst, especially because neither of their parents will be here.  Our calm Sunday, we fear, is about to devolve into calamitous confusion.  And when Savannah and Alexandra first arrive, full of more energy than the law allows, we're catapulted into an all-hands-on-deck adventure.  Virginia assesses the situation flawlessly:  "So, Gammie, now I see why you don't want all three of us here together.  It's so much work!"

I can't help but laugh.  Yes, it is "work," but it turns into an incredible experience for all of us.

Papa fixes tater tots and fruit for lunch, we play in the back yard, toys are unearthed from the closet, and finally, when Savannah and Alexandra grow weary, we turn on the television for some episodes of Sponge Bob.  Previously, because of their raucous behavior, they have been forbidden to sit on our new living room sofa and love seat because they wanted to climb and jump.  This time, they sit quietly, like the ladies they are destined to become.

Not only that, when we ask if they would like a box drink or another serving of apple, the response is, "Yes, please," followed by, "Thank you."  Oh, my!  What an incredible job my daughter and her husband are doing in raising these beautiful girls!

They are young and learning, but most of all, they are happy in their youth, relishing every moment in the moment, a lesson that all of us can, and should, learn.  My prayer for all of them is that God would be their guide when they follow the ways of their hearts.

And for us, what we thought would be a sabotaged Sabbath, becomes a blessing!

Amen!