Marshmallows : )

A dear friend of mine came over yesterday to chat about life. It was so good visiting with her and having deep conversations about everyday things. It's good to know you're not alone in your struggles/frustrations/fears/etc. You know?

Here's one (Like 1 of 100) of my favorite parts of our conversation yesterday:

My friend has 2 young boys. She was telling me how much her mom spoils them and how it is hard for her to handle. There are several reasons. One- it's how her mom chooses to spoil them. She loves giving them candy and marshmallows. And, everyone knows, there is not one drop of healthfulness in marshmallows. And then the boys get hyper. And they wonder why mom never gives them marshmallows at home. And my friend just wishes there hadn't been any marshmallows at all. But it's her mom- who is trying to be a wonderful grandma. That's sweet, right. But, hey, how come her mom never gave her any marshmallows...

So I proceeded to tell her about Caleb's grandmas, who love him dearly, yet also do things I just can't do. He's not big enough for marshmallows, yet (thank God) but he has all kinds of toys and all kinds of clothes and...... all they ever do when they watch him is hold him and snuggle him and kiss him. I would LOVE to do that all day- but really- I must wash the dishes and the clothes and make Daddy's dinner and lunch for the next day and, and, and. I wish I could spoil him with attention, but I just can't.

My friend then told me that she had mentioned this to a sweet, wise woman at church who gave her awesome advice. Don't miss this!!

The woman told my friend that when she is a good mom- loving her kids by training them in the way they should go, in disciplining them when they disobey, in being patient with them, in caring for their every day needs- she is showing them an aspect of the Father's love. God is like that. He loves us by training us and disciplining us and by not giving us everything we want. He patiently waits for us to finish throwing our tantrums when we don't get what we want and he gives us things that we need. When we are being good moms, we are like the Father.

But when good grandmas lavish good gifts on their grandchildren, they are showing a different aspect of God's love. Sometimes, God gives us gifts for no reason except that He loves us. We don't earn it or deserve it or need it- He just wants to make us happy. When they are being good grandmas, they are like the Father, too.

What a refreshing thought! Both are different ways God loves us. Both are images of Him.

Thanks, God, for grandmas and the way they love us so lavishly, and thank you, God, for all the marshmallows you have given me : )

I John 3:1

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.