Waiting For Me

I needed to bring something over to my daughter.
I planned to stop by before I headed out to lunch at a friend’s house.
I texted my daughter when I was leaving.
I reminded her that I couldn’t stay very long.

The reminder wasn’t for her as much as for my grandchildren.
My two granddaughters are always excited when Grandma came over.
Their brother, my grandson is excited to see me as well.
However, at nine months old, he can’t anticipate the visit like his sisters.

I got the things ready that I wanted to bring to my daughter.
I filled up my water bottle that is always with me.
I gathered up my things as well, since I wold not be back home until later in the day.
I locked up the house and left to drive the fifteen minutes to her house.

Driving is prayer time.
Driving is also a time when I can listen to podcasts I enjoy.
I was lost in my thoughts as I turned the corner.
As I was ready to turn into the driveway, I heard squealing.

I looked over and saw my two granddaughters jumping up and down.
They had been waiting for me.
They had been sitting on the front step waiting patiently until they saw my car.
When they saw it, they squealed with delight.

You cannot imagine the joy in my heart.
To be greeted like that is so wonderful.
To be anticipated is so delightful.
To be so loved is a privilege.

I pulled into the driveway and took off my sunglasses.
They stayed on the walkway, as close to the driveway as they could get.
As soon as I opened the car door, they came running over to give me a hug.
I embraced them both, telling them how their greeting made my heart so happy.

Grandma, look at my shirt, said the older one.
Grandma, Grandma, said the younger one taking my hand.
When I got up to the front porch area, my daughter and grandson were there.
Grandma loves you, I said to him as he reached out to touch my face.

Even after going inside, there were things to show me.
Not even getting two feet from the door, there were things to tell me.
I tried to give attention all around.
I am so interested in all they have to say, but there is one of me and three of them.

A smile and a hug go a long way.
Children need to know they are heard.
Children need to know they are seen.
Children need to know they are loved.

Thank you, girls, for making Grandma feel so special, I told them, meaning every word.
That brought another round of hugs.
My heart was full.
My heart is full, five times over, with each of my grandchildren.

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.  The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.  “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:11-24)

After I left, I thought about my granddaughters’ greeting.
They were waiting for me.
I was the one they wanted to see.
If they could have run into the street, they would have done just that.

Think of the father in Jesus’ parable of the Lost Son.
His younger son left him, carrying his portion of the inheritance.
That son squandered all his money and decided that he would go back home.
He rehearsed an excuse; his growling stomach led the way.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

His father was waiting for him.
His father, who would not routinely run in such an undignified way, ran to his son.
He threw his arms around him and kissed him.
I imagine he squealed in delight, much like my granddaughters.

Return to God, the Father.
There is no shame when you return to Him.
There is only delight when He sees His child come home.
There will be true rejoicing when God sees your face.

Do you see Him there?
Even when you are a long way off, He is waiting for you with mercy and compassion.
Come home, child.
Come home.