Three Months In – A Mother’s Day Reflection
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 1

Today’s Treasure: “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has given me what I asked of him” (1 Samuel 1:27). 

Well, it’s just absolutely official. I am bonkers over grandparenting. As my assistant, also an active grammy, assured me, I am ruined for life. It’s been three months since God graced our private little Moore-Jones world with Jackson Curtis. Weighing in at 7 lbs. 2 oz, he did not come to take sides. He came to take over. We were easy for the taking. Couldn’t wait, in fact. Curt and Amanda have invited both sides of their family to fully engage so, though we each live hours from their home, we have each reveled in numerous opportunities to see him. And sometimes even together. One of the great joys of grandparenting for me has not been competing with the “other side” but conglomerating with them. Cozy, Amanda’s mother-in-law, and I love nothing better than being together with our little guy. I got to be in Springfield, Missouri, with them for a family wedding recently and we got to embark in a joint shopping venture. I wish you could have seen a saleslady’s face when she asked what our relationship was and I told her, “We’re in love with the same man.” Are we ever!

I’m writing because right this minute I’ve got so much feeling, I need something to do with it. I’ve just had a huge dose of our little guy and my suddenly quiet home begs at the very least for the sound of solar nails on a keyboard. I had the privilege of celebrating not just Mother’s Day with my girls but Mother’s Week. Melissa was home from graduate school for a week between the end of the spring semester and the beginning of summer school. The girls, still different as night and day, are too crazy about each other to miss an opportunity to huddle under the same roof. My patient and wonderful son-in-law blessed his wife to pack up the baby and come spend the better part of five days with us. We had the biggest blast. Watching my firstborn mother her son (beautifully) and watching my lastborn coddle her nephew (hilariously) are joys unspeakable.

With much fanfare we introduced Jackson to the mall where I practically taught my girls how to walk. The same mall where we had endless mother-daughter talks—some quite serious—while perusing clothes racks. Somehow the shared love of shopping (often without spending) gave us neutral ground for less neutral discussions. Sometimes it’s less threatening to say something strong to your daughter about a questionable association she’s made while thumbing through jeans at The Gap. Trying on shoes is even better. It’s harder to look down on someone when you’re looking at your own feet. “Buy One, Get One” at Payless is particularly effective. We can sit down and have a great discussion without ever catching a glimpse of rolling eyes or dirty looks. If things get a little tense, one can quickly say to the other, “Those look fabulous on you!”

Yep, we’d fantasized for years about how I’d stroll my grandchildren while my girls shopped. Finally got to do it. Strollers these days even have cup holders for your Starbucks. Is there no end to the praise God wants?

He’s learned to smile. Jackson, I mean. Not God. God never had to learn to smile. He always has. I felt Him smiling over me somehow. I felt Him enjoy my enjoyment. I think God knew how much I’d love being a granny and probably could hardly wait. I do love it so. I am—just maybe—as emotionally fulfilled by it as anything I’ve ever experienced. To lean over that precious child when I see him for the first time that trip, to peer at that delightful, round face and those sparkling blue eyes and see him register some recognition as if to say, “Hi, Granny!  Where ya been?” is more than I can handle. That gummy smile that stretches from ear to ear and bunches up his cheeks into two cherry tomatoes slays me every time. To see him kick his legs and wave his arms as if all four appendages are entirely unrelated to one another slaps me with such glee that I want to do the same thing.

I am blessed beyond words. What I feel is not new. Adam and Eve were grandparents, for crying out loud. But it’s new to me.  Thanks for letting me indulge. And thanks for sharing in our joy. May God’s most ecstatic joys—whatever form they may take—be yours. You are greatly loved and appreciated by all of us at Living Proof Ministries.

Beth Moore © 2006