Don’t you love it when a God moment arrives at just the right time? This happened to me after I gave one of the greatest gifts you can give a person. Before I share the God moment with you, let’s start at the beginning of this story.
My favorite pastime besides being out in nature is to create handmade junk journals out of papers, cards, and tidbits of stuff I found for next to nothing in thrift stores. A piece of vintage paper, an old button, and a scrap of fabric can be turned into a treasure worth keeping if you’re a fan of handcrafted creations.
Normally I take a break from serious writing on weekends. It’s my playtime. One Saturday morning my grandson and I were hanging out together in the den. We hauled out the bin of blocks and placed it on the sofa. While my grandson got comfy on the couch, I got cozy in my craft chair at a nearby table. A nearly completed junk journal sitting on the craft table was drawing my attention as strongly as the blocks drew my grandson’s interest.
A Still Small Voice suggested I set the journal aside and sit beside my grandson. I could work on journals any old time. But little boys grow up fast and only sweet memories last. The Voice was right, and I was glad to have heard it because I remembered how my children spelled love: T.I.M.E.
The greatest gift adults can give to children is their time. Time is one of the best gifts we can give to anyone. When someone gives you some of their time, it tells you they care about you. Spending time with someone invests in your relationship with them and blesses their mental health.
Did you know that kids spell love differently than we do? Most children spell it T,I,M,E. To kids, the present is all there is–and our availability communicates love. ~ H. Norman Wright and Gary J. Oliver.
The second I sat down, my grandson handed me a partially built house. “Here, Grammie. This one is yours.”
It had been a few weeks since we played with blocks together, so I barely remembered I made it. “You can have it. I’ll take the smaller one.”
Little guy smiled big. “Thank you.” In giving him my time and the bigger house, I made his morning.
We both labored over our fixer-uppers and added more details until we were nearly done.
“Grammie, why don’t we put them together?”
“You mean, I put mine on top of yours?”
“Yeah.”
“Great idea. Mine can be the upstairs.”
We created a garden complete with a patio. I added a balcony to the top floor as well. When we were done, I suggested we take some pictures. I took one short video of the two of us together and a bunch of pictures of him wide smiling with the two-story creation we made.
The next day, just after I finished journaling about our block-building memory, Google pictures sent me a notification on my phone. It was a collage they put together of my smiling grandson and our two-story house.
It happy-tugged at my heart as I realized choosing to spend quality time with little guy created another collage of loving memories he may look back on one day with the same fondness that filled my soul in seeing how well I spent my time that morning. Once again, the Holy Spirit got the victory, and a little guy got some extra love spelled with T.I.M.E.
When we temporarily set aside our interests for the interests of others, we’re loving them and we’re obeying God. And when we love others, we’re loving God too.
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Spending time with others shows we’re interested in them. Showing says a lot more than words ever could. It takes more time, but then again, time is the best way to spell love.
And now I’d like to close with a poem:
Time together
is time spent well
for it proves
we know how to spell
For T. I. M. E.
is the way
to show someone
we love them today.
~ wlm
Tell me about a special memory you have of a grandparent.
Timely blessings ~ Wendy Mac
This really spoke to me. My grandchildren are all grown up, but I have some really good memories of time with them. But I could have so many more if I had taken time to be with them than just watching them. You are a good Grammie. That’s what my grandkids called me too.
Thank you, dear Jane. It’s an honor and a gift to be called Grammie–isn’t it? Grandchildren don’t outgrow their need for quality time with grandparents. Even a note or text can bless them when they needed it most. I’m sure you’re one your grands’ grandest fans. Blessings as you continue to enjoy those special relationships.
This touches my heart.
Thank you for letting me know, sweet friend. Blessings.
I love this, Wendy. Great reminder of what really matters.
Thank you & blessings, dear Mary. Whether it’s blocks, playdough, or snow, building together builds sweet memories.
Wendy, your line, “When we temporarily set aside our interests for the interests of others, we’re loving them and we’re obeying God. And when we love others, we’re loving God too” is true in all relationships––including adults.
This past week, I had three church elders and their wives over to my house for dinner. One asked me what prompted the invitation. I answered, a thought come to mind, “Invite the elders and wives for a meal to show appreciation for all they do.” I sent an email invitation rather than my natural inclination to think on it. Had I not acted in the moment (like you did with your grandson) it’s likely, the fleeting thought would have passed, I’d have gotten distracted, forgotten, or rationalized some reason it wasn’t a good idea or time.
Each guest expressed gratitude about how much they felt loved. I’m glad I followed the whispered prompt and we set a date on the calendar.
Well done, dear Manette. Yes, it’s wise and rewarding to obey the Holy Spirit’s nudges to serve. He longs to bless others through us. And we get blessed too. You’ve inspired me to follow up on an idea I had earlier today. 🙂 Thank you.
Love this, Wendy. Love is spelled T.I.M.E. What a needed reminder in a world that seems to be spinning out of control!
Thank you, dear Sheila, for stopping by. Yesterday I stumbled across one of my notebooks that contained the quote I first came across about T.I.M.E. I’ve now added it to the post. Yes, the world needs more people taking the time to be calm, kind, and present. Blessings.