On a recent afternoon, my granddaughter Katy and I went to nearby Village Theater to a silly but delightfully entertaining musicale matinée. It’s my birthday gift to her. We laugh and applaud and afterward decide to go to a nearby restaurant, where we split a cheeseburger, salad and a decadent chocolate something (all nutritional favorites), and I enjoy an engaging conversation with one of my very special grandchildren.

 

Sharing life together.

We eat leisurely, tasting not only food, but also thoughts on life; vignettes starring her two young boys whom she totally adores, her love for their father, and her unique connectivity with three important women in her life, namely, her mother, her grandmother and her mother-in-law.

I listen carefully, interjecting comments and questions now and then, as she recounts experiences with each of them, what she has learned and continues to learn from their respective influences in her life. This ‘once-a-babe’ in my arms, reaching up to hold my finger as we take short walks, middle-school baseball player, angry young teenager, university graduate, and now beautiful young woman, wife, mother, businesswoman, daughter, and granddaughter draws me into the world she lives in now, weaving together her many roles and relationships into a life tapestry all her own.

All too soon it is time for us to leave. We drive to her home, finishing our conversation in the driveway. With a hug and kiss on the cheek, I watch as she waves before disappearing inside the entrance way. I smile to myself while driving along the freeway toward home. It has been a good afternoon.

 

Have you ever wondered?

Could this is the way God feels when one of his children (you do know God has no grandchildren, right?) gives up a few hours in his or her otherwise very busy schedule just so they can be together? To laugh and cry and maybe even applaud one another? To thank the Father for his steadfast love? To enjoy a special meal and an intimate conversation together? To share with him the experiences we have had, listen for answers to questions we ask, and be mindful of stories needing to be retold?

How long has it been since you’ve had an afternoon with Abba Father like this, letting him see who you are now? You are the one he knew while you were in your mother’s womb, now growing, maturing and becoming the person he loves so much, he reaches across to pick up the check so you can be together like this again (John 3:16).

 

Whenever you ask.

In times you feel lost, you are certain when you ask, he will be there for you. He will listen to your dreams and your heartbreaks. You will understand just how much he loves you. You’ll know instinctively as you trust him to help shape your story by being an integral part of it, you will never be lost again. You will travel together with the Father on life’s sacred journey to your forever family, connected by his Spirit within you, both now and in eternity.

Yes, spending time together is an amazing way to bring joy to Father God, and know the pleasure of his love in return.

“The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.” ~Psalm 126:3

 Have a blest and happy Advent season.