Her Hands In The Air

I could not go on my morning walk, since it was raining
I decided to get in the shower earlier than usual.
I decided that I could get my food shopping done earlier in the day.
I am a morning person, so this actually fit better with my natural rhythm.

As I was getting dressed, my daughter sent me a text.
She and my granddaughter were going to be out as well.
She wondered if I wanted to meet them for lunch.
That was an easy, Yes!

We set a tentative time to meet.
We had already decided to eat at the organic supermarket nearby.
They have a wonderfully, healthy cafe; I could do my shopping after our lunch.
They also have a play area.

I know, in my head, that my granddaughter is now a year old.
However, it is not feasible to me that she can play in the play area.
She is walking now.
The way she walks is so adorable.

She is used to holding adult hands as she walks.
She is used to her arms being in the air.
Now, when she walks by herself, she walks with her arms up and her hands above her head.
It helps to keep her steady.

To me, it looks like she is in a constant state of joy.
It looks like she is praising God with her hands in the air.
Perhaps in her own little way, she is.
She is simply being the sweet little girl He made her to be.

I knew that I was going to be about ten minutes late.
I sent my daughter a text.
I pulled into a parking space and saw my daughter and granddaughter.
My granddaughter was walking along the front of the store with her hands in the air.

I saw her stop and look at herself in the large glass window.
My daughter waved to me.
As I got out of the car and started to walk towards them, I saw my daughter pointing.
There’s Grandma! I told you we were going to see Grandma today!

My sweet little granddaughter, turned around and saw me.
A huge smile was on her face.
She started to walk towards me.
Her little arms were up in the air in praise.

She kept coming towards me.
I kept coming towards her.
I got down to her level.
She gave me a big hug.

She made my day!
The hug of a child is a sweet gift.
The joy on a child’s face, when they see people they love, is a sight to behold.
Nothing store bought could match the gift of a child’s love.

We walked into the grocery store and went right to the cafe.
My granddaughter walked holding her mommy’s hand.
It was not that long ago I was holding my daughter’s hand just like that.
The passage of time astounds me.

We made our lunch choices.
We found a high chair to bring to our table.
Other mothers and children were there as well.
I knew that when lunch was over, my granddaughter would play in the play area.

After her mommy cleaned her up, my granddaughter was lifted out of the high chair.
She walked right over to the wooden play area.
She climbed the stairs.
She stood on the landing and waved.

I watched her watching the other children.
She would walk right up to them.
At this young age, parallel play is the way children play.
They play next to each other rather than with each other.

All the other children, older than her, seemed to intuitively know to protect her.
It was lovely to see.
They watched her walk with her hands in the air.
They smiled at her and at her mommy.

When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the Lord, he rose from before the altar of the Lord, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. (1 Kings 8:54)

King Solomon prayed to the Lord on his knees.
As he was praying, Solomon lifted his hands to God.
It was as if his prayers and requests went up along his arms towards heaven.
Many people pray with their hands raised.

Some people worship with their hands raised.
Their arms down by their side is not sufficient to contain their joy and praise.
They have to raise their hands.
They have to praise.

I thought of that as I watched my granddaughter walk.
One of these days, her arms will go down by her side as she gets steadier on her feet.
I know that her mommy (and her grandma) will miss this sweet way of walking.
I am certain that her arms will be raised again as she praises the God who made her.

I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4)