Tuesday, November 5, 2019

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!


28 comments:

  1. I love reading this adventure Martha! I know how topsy-turvy our house used to become when our only grandson came to visit. It's not so bad now because he is in a "world of his own." :) But I wouldn't trade those days for anything in the world. I love how your messed up Sabbath became a day of blessing for you and Danny.

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    1. Topsy-turvy is a great way to describe the experience, Bill! But I just love how God can turn the messy into miracles. We were blessed, indeed!
      Love and blessings!

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  2. I love the memories you are creating for your grandchildren. I remember visiting my grandparents when I was young and I can only imagine the thoughts of weariness that surely entered their minds.
    But those memories I will cherish forever.

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    1. Yes, Ryan, these are precious memories, to be sure. I only got to see my grandparents once a year as they lived 1,000 miles away, but I loved every moment spent with them. So grateful to live close to my own grands.
      Love and blessings!

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  3. What a great title! :) Oh wow, those little girls' eyes, so full of life. (My mom used to call it 'piss and vinegar' - lol.) How could any nana or poppa resist. Another wise Virginia observation! I loved every sentence!

    PS - Have you heard from Victor? I'm concerned ...

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed this post, Myra, and I love your Mom's saying, too! The girls are indeed full of that - lol.
      No, I haven't heard from Victor recently, thinking he might be away on holiday, as they say in the UK, or perhaps a bit under the weather. Let's keep praying that all is well with our beloved, mutual friend.
      Love and blessings!

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  4. I think God had a hand in sabotaging your Sabbath. Sometimes spending time with one's grandchildren is the biggest blessing and also spiritual lesson God can give for the day. AND, that goes both ways! What a blessing and spiritual lesson it was for your precious grandchildren as well...and I am sure it was the same for your daughter and son in law, to know that they had a safe haven for the children, where they knew they would be loved and protected and cherished! I'd say it was a win-win for all...and you always have Monday to recuperate when you are retired! :) Great STory!!

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    1. I think God had a hand in all of this, too, Pamela, a BIG one! Our day was so full of joyful moments, too many to count. Yes, those blessings and lessons go both ways, don't they? It was definitely a win-win kind of day.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. I don't think your Sabbath was sabotaged at all, Martha Jane. Seems like it turned into a huge blessing for all of you!! Thanks for sharing the joy! Have a good week ahead!!

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    1. And you are 100% correct, Terri! We had boatloads of fun, and I know God was smiling down on us all the while. May you have a wonderful week, too, my friend.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Yep, that's a lot! My daughter can't understand why I wear out so fast when I have both the 8 year old and the 1 year old at the same time. The older one, like Virginia Rose, is fine. But the baby?! That is a very labor intensive age. And you had three! Well done, Gammie!

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    1. Oh, my goodness, Galen, now that is truly and handful with the issue of the age difference - such non-compatible levels of need and want! It really helped to have Danny to run interference, that's for sure. We were both worn out by the time John came to collect the kids, but it was a good and satisfying tired.
      Love and blessings!

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  7. What a precious Sunday you had, Martha. Seeing those sweet little ones makes me wonder how in the world I did it with my three. And Ms. Virginia is hilarious with her grown-up observation of how difficult it can be with young children.
    You are blessed indeed!

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    1. Oh, Beckie, I'm still thanking the Lord for His blessings on that day, understanding that this time with the grands was our "church." I don't know how you managed three kids, either, day in and day out, as two, for me, were a handful. But God will always give us the wherewithal to deal with what we are given when we call upon Him. And now, for you, the payoff - a beautiful grandchild!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. I'm glad your sabotaged Sabbath turned into a blessing, Martha. I don't know how you handle all three; I'm wondering how I'm going to handle two at a time. :) But I'm ready to try!

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    1. You'll be amazed, Lisa, at just how much you can handle when it comes to grandchildren. Such a joy, even when it's hectic!
      Love and blessings!

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  9. Aw, it sounds like you had a wonderful time, after all. Sometimes the best and happiest moments happen during detours from our original plans. God bless you, my friend!

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    1. Yes, indeed, they do, Cheryl! You remind me here of that saying, "Life happens when you're busy making other plans." God certainly blessed us richly that Sunday!
      Love and blessings!

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  10. I can see where you felt unprepared for all three together, Martha. It sure helps when there's an older one like Virginia. :) Also when hubby pitches in. I'm so glad the day turned out to be a blessing. :) Precious memories from your precious grands! Love and blessings to you!

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    1. Yes, Trudy, it was great to have Danny's help in all this, and Virginia was a calming influence, too. We did have a marvelous Sabbath after all!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. You are wise to give each of your grands one-on-one attention. We have 3 young grandsons and often have more than one of them at once. I asked my husband once how we did it when we had 3 little boys. His response: "We were a lot younger then!" :)

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    1. And your husband is so right, Laurie! It's why God designed us to have children when we are young and energetic. It was a challenging day, for sure, but it was a blessed one!
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Martha, what a delightful post! Your Sabbath may have been "sabotaged", however, as I read your post I'm thinking that you were being the church, doing ministry with your family.

    Love and blessings!

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    1. Wow, Kim, what a great way to look at this experience! We are always told that we should BE the church, not just attend services, so that's a great perspective. And yes, we had fun!
      Love and blessings!

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  13. Martha, this post made me smile and even laugh a few times. Not only are your words here on the humorous side, but so are those of Virginia Rose. :-) Glad the sabatoged Sabbath turned out ok in the end.

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    1. Thanks so much, Karen, for your affirmation here! Yes, Virginiaisms never fail to elicit a chuckle from me. Glad they did so for you, too!
      Love and blessings!

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  14. this brighten my evening and made me smile. How blessed you are!!!!

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    1. So, so glad I could brighten your evening, Jean! Yes, I count my blessings every day, several times a day. God is good!
      Love and blessings!

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. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

  . . . Good tidings of great joy . . . ~Luke 2:10 Pictured above are my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, John, and their three girls, Virginia,...