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Grandma Learns A Lesson
by Cheryl Johnston - June 2001
See Cheryl's Book Reviews What is it about having grandchildren that creates an urgency to have them know Jesus? Is it because we’ve seen how quickly time passed as we raised our children, leaving much we’d planned to teach and equip them with unaccomplished? Or is it because by this season we’ve learned that the “world” can destroy a soul unless a strong faith in a Creator God anchors and sustains. When my mother died I became acutely aware that I had failed to “teach my children” about God’s laws, the “gift” of His son Jesus, and the way to fulfilled life, here and eternally in heaven. She had displayed her faith and faithfully prayed for me for forty-five years. But my sons didn’t witness my faith in action. Somehow I assumed Jesus would find them. I can’t even take credit for faithful prayers on their behalf. I think the real gift of grandchildren is to open the eyes of grandparents to life’s purpose --- to deeply know and honor God (and be known by Him), to receive His joy, walk in His peace, and show His love - so that all who seek Him will find Him. And from the hard earned wisdom of aging grandparents, our attitude is - the sooner, the better. As my relationship with God grew more intimate in my mid-forties, my heart’s desire and constant prayer was that my sons, their wives, and combined four children would come to know Him soon. Most often the prayer was that God would have someone cross their path that would show them the way to Jesus. Somehow I never imagined that the “someone” might be me. I will always remember two special dates in November, 2000, when God used my two eldest grandchildren to teach me (“Gaga” - grandmother) an important lesson about salvation and His grace and mercy. The first date was November 11th - an ordinary night except that our precious granddaughters, Haley (then 6) and Karaline (4), were sleeping over with “Papa and Gaga”. Our routine after dinner was bath, Popsicles, a pallet on the floor and popcorn while we watched a movie, then finally the females settled in one bed in the middle bedroom. It was almost midnight as Karaline snored sound asleep, with Haley, as usual, wide awake. In the dark, as I tried to sleep between them, Haley’s small voice asked, “Gaga would you like to pray with me?” How instantly ashamed I was as I realized the suggestion should have come from me first. Of course, I said “yes” as my heart quickened. She spoke first and her prayer was simple and pure. “Dear Jesus, Thank you for the beautiful day and for my family. Please help me to be kind to my sister and obey my parents. Please help me to control my frustrations and be a good girl. Amen”. I had to surpress tears before I could take my turn: Dear Jesus, Thank you for your gift of these beautiful granddaughters. Thank you for our food, our homes, our health, and each other. Please protect us as we try to live for you. Thank you for your help and blessings. Amen.” Her next question opened the door to Him. “Gaga, how does Jesus help us?” And so began my opportunity to share how Jesus lives in our heart if we invite Him. Trying to be certain that I covered all the bases of the gospel, I talked about original sin by Adam and Eve and how God sent His son Jesus to die on the cross to reconcile us to Him. In retrospect it was probably more than she expected to hear. But God’s patience and grace extended to help me ask if she understood, believed and wanted Him to live in her heart. She thought carefully for a moment, then replied clearly “yes!” So I asked her to repeat the sinner’s prayer after me, which she did. My heart leapt for joy and I slept like a baby after thanking Him for the honor and privilege of introducing Haley Hayes to Jesus. I remember walking on clouds in awe of His goodness for the next few days. The second date was November 29th, just eighteen days later. On Wednesdays I drive to Tampa to bring our oldest grandson Trevor (then 7) to spend the night with us in Plant City. He is very bright and unusually curious, always asking deep, thought-provoking questions that require and deserve serious answers. One question leads to another and I look forward to our involved conversations. This particular trip started with Trevor wanting to know how many times he would need to count to 100 before we would be in Plant City (30 miles, approx. 45 minutes). Having heard him count much of our previous week’s trip, I told him I’d rather he talk to me on this one. So, as I looked in the rear view mirror to see his reaction, and watched his face deep in thought, he responded ----“Grandma, what does Jewish mean?” As I started to expound he interrupted, “I know. It means they don’t believe in Jesus. Chase (his neighbor friend) is Jewish and he doesn’t believe in Jesus.” I explained about the Israelites and their heritage, and that Jesus was Jewish. Question after question required more complicated explanations, until twenty minutes later Trevor asked - “How does Jesus help us?” For the second time in eighteen days I was permitted to lead a grandchild to His Savior. I doubt I will ever feel as excited as I did in that month. As I shared this with believing family and friends, I was reminded once again how God uses the “simple things to confound the wise” and how “a little child shall lead them.” Now my prayer has changed that He would keep me keenly aware of the appointed time and readiness for my two youngest grandchildren to meet Him (Karaline and Trent). I was also able to encourage other grandmothers to look for this same opportunity with their children’s children. And once again I learned - what an awesome and personal God we serve. Cheryl Johnston (June, 2001) P.S. On December 5, 2001 God allowed me to introduce Karaline (age 5, Haley’s sister) to Him. Again we three females were in bed with them fidgeting as usual, when Karaline asked “Can we pray?” Conviction again for me, but oh how sweet the blessings of children’s questions. After our three prayers, Karaline announced “I think I’m ready to have Jesus come and live in my heart”. Again I carefully explained what God required of her, she listened quietly and thoughtfully, and responded that she understood and agreed. So we three prayed the prayer aloud. In addition, Haley wanted me to teach her the sinner’s prayer so she “could go to school and help her friends to ask Jesus into their hearts.” Needless to say, I slept soundly that night. God is so gracious and faithful, and so longs to answer the door when we knock. I look forward to the P.S.S. to this story when one day soon, Trent Johnston (now 4) is ready for the most important step in his life. Thank you, Jesus, for your shed blood that cleanses us and for your desire and promise that all our family would know you when they choose to seek you with all their hearts. The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh. It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus
Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh.
It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your
faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
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