More From Marsha Howard

Since writing the devotional about Keri, the Lord has blessed my husband and me with six additional grandchildren. I have spent my lifetime devoted to children as an educator in public and private schools and, until recently, by serving as a children’s minister

Research has shown that children need four to six involved, caring adults in their lives to fully develop emotionally and socially. I decided long ago that with God’s help, I wanted to be one of those individuals. 

I am so grateful that in retirement I am able to focus more on my grandchildren. I am unbelievably blessed that I now have time to combine my love of children and my passion to create memorable experiences, to enrich and build relationships with them.

However, like many grandparents, I don’t live in the same city as my children and grandchildren and have discovered that growing these relationships can be challenging. I write newsletters, create and send cards, and use video chats to connect with them. I visit them as often as I can, and they visit me. I have camps and mini-camps in the summer just for them. We go on walks and on trips. We cook and tell stories. In short... we make memories. I seize every opportunity I am given to teach them everything from the ABC’s to Jesus to driving. It is challenging... but fun!

Through the years, God has been revealed to me over and over again as I have listened to, observed, taught, held, and loved children. I have seen God in their actions, in their words, and in the way they express their love. I have found no love as pure and no devotional material as rich as that which comes as a result of spending time with a child.

I love this quote from Charles Dickens:

“I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.”

“So fresh from God...”

I believe it! How long has it been since you’ve devoted time to a child?