Tip of My Iceberg

They grow fast the first several months you have them.

Puppies and babies. Perish the thought I’d ever confuse the two.

I’ve been spending time with my new grandson, Huck, in Austin.

It’s been four weeks since I’ve seen him. He’s grown. A lot. More interactive. More focused. More fun.

He’s now his own little person. With a face that changes by the moment in light of his circumstances. Whether he needs input. Or has had too much output. A fully present, very engaging little man who has some very definite ideas of what is important.

And a unique way of letting everyone know he’s needy.

No matter how fussy he gets, how persistent his cries for help in whatever straits he finds himself, no one is bothered by these needs. Or in wanting to meet them.

His folks are tired. Huck isn’t sleeping through the night yet, so having his wishes satisfied in the wee hours of the morning are part of the parental job description. They anticipate the time when a full night’s sleep will be his reality, but they don’t begrudge him this phase of life. It’s expected.

As Nana, I can step in and help. I’m not bothered by his cries or his fussiness. I know it’s part of the story of a growing child. Been there, done that, have the puke stains on shirts to show it.

But I can’t do for him what his parents can. I can’t be them.

I love coming alongside to help. I enjoy holding and soothing him for a time. But I’ve done the child-rearing part of my life. I’ve been the parent and have seen my children grow and launched. I don’t have the energy to do for Huck what he needs from his parents now.

I enjoy watching his folks love on him. Talk to him. Play with him. Soothe him when he’s so crabby that no one but mom or dad will satisfy. And they’re enjoying him. With all his neediness and inability to do for himself.

This is exactly how I want to be loved. How I want to be cared for. How I want to be seen by someone who thinks I’m worth that kind of time and effort. That my neediness won’t be overwhelming. That the times I’m unable to do for myself won’t derail a relationship.

When God dealt with a very rebellious Israel, He never abandoned them. No matter how annoying or disobedient they were.

“I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself.”   Jeremiah 31:3

A Father’s love that’s unfailing. Never gives up. Never walks away from a difficult situation. Or a difficult child. An embracing love that never lets go. That never wearies of the needs of that child.

I see God’s love reflected in how Jillian and Mark love Huck. Graciously. Allowing for his shortcomings. Nothing so hard that they’d walk away from him.

It’s how God sees me. Because He knows me and my junk and still loves me.

In God’s eyes, I’m worth it.

Do you recognize your value to God?

Second photo courtesy of pedigreedatabase.com.