Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Seven Year Old Wisdom and Answered Prayer

Our Beautiful Blessings  

















Recently, our oldest granddaughter, Savannah spent the day with me. I asked her how things were going at school expecting a normal response such as fine or great. Instead, she began telling me about a situation with some of her friends. She said her friends were saying something that was not nice. She explained to me they didn't know what they were saying was wrong, but she knew it was and she shared it with her teacher. She also told her teacher she didn't want her friends to get in trouble, because she knew they didn't understand what they were saying was not nice.

As I continued to listen, Savannah explained to me that her friends did not know Jesus and that's why they didn't understand they should not say, "OMG." She continued to explain why she had to tell her teacher . She said, "when you love your friends and family you have to do the right thing whether they like it or not."

At this point all I could say was, "that's right" and continued to listen. Speechless doesn't happen to me very often, but this was one of those times.

Savannah continued to share her heart by saying, "God created the world and he created me. I don't know how I know that, but I do!"

I hugged her and told her I loved her and I was thankful she was wise enough to do the right thing even when others might not like it.

This story is far from over. What you don't know is two nights before Savannah's visit I could not sleep. I was overcome with fear for my children and grandchildren and what "might" happen in their lives. I began to pour out my heart to God sharing fears for each of them, their spouses, children, and friends, and even future generations. As I began to share every detail of my fears with God, I prayed specifically that each of them would trust God and recognize His presence even when they didn't understand why. I reminded God that I could not remember a time when I did not know He was God and I had NOT  trusted Him even in the midst of my deepest fears. Eventually, I fell asleep. Two days later in the middle of a normal day Savannah shared her heart with me. What an affirmation to continue to trust GOD, no matter what!

So, when times come and you worry about the many ways you may have failed at parenting or the mistakes you may or may not have made, know that God truly is in control. Know He loves both you and your children far beyond what you can comprehend and He truly is at work in the midst of the messiness of this life, whether you understand or not. And if you are like me and you struggle with "doing the right thing,"  because you don't want to hurt the feelings of someone you love or get them in trouble, recognize "doing the right thing" is an act of LOVE!

"28 And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
29 For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers. 30 And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory.
31 What can we ever say to such wonderful things as these? If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?" Romans 8:28-31 NLT


By His mercy and in the grip of His grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue

8 comments:

Terri Tiffany said...

What a huge blessing!!!!#

Joan Davis (Jo) said...

This got me emotional, Andrea. Such a beautiful post! I have a 9 year old granddaughter whom I haven't seen in a year and a half. Her mother, my daughter, decided to be an atheist and doesn't want any Christian influence in her life or that of her family. I pray for them all every day, but my heart aches thinking little Kylah doesn't know who Jesus is. But then I remember (and have it confirmed in your post) that God is in control. He will bring people into her life who will share with her...I'm trusting Him for that!

Blessings, Joan

Nel said...

This made my heart smile... Eden Jade my 8 yo granddaughter is singing in church now and has started asking her momma about baptism and what it represents. Such a wonderful age!
until next time...nel

Andrea said...

Yes, Terri. We are truly blessed.

Joan: I am praying for you. It is tough and it's easy to get so caught up in what's wrong that we forget GOD IS IN CONTROL and we are NOT!

Nel: It truly is a beautiful age. I cherish the innocent trust I am witnessing as each of our grands grows and learns.

Blessings and prayers,
andrea

quietspirit said...

Andrea: YOur granddaughter has wisdom from God. She followed His leading and will reap rewards from Him because of her practicing her faith.

vanilla said...

Loving actions on the part of your granddaughter. She is richly blessed in that she has a grandmother who is a prayer warrior.

Down On The Farm said...

That is awesome. I too need to be reminded that God IS in control of the lives of all who call Him Lord. Blessings to you today!!

Heart2Heart said...

Andrea,

Sometimes it makes me smile when I think of Jesus' words that we need to be like children to enter Heaven. They just keep things simple and honest! Thanks for sharing this with all of us.

Love and Hugs ~ Kat