More From Del Bates

I have always been one who loves to remember special moments and cherish them in my heart. If you were to piddle through boxes, bins, or certain drawers of mine, you would see that they’re not only in my heart but on tags, cards, and little trinkets and things too precious to toss away.

I know it might seem crazy, but I’ve even held onto the original messages on my phone from my children when they’ve called to announce, “Mom, you’re going to be a grandma!”

In the beginning, I’d listen to them over and over with excitement, anticipating my new life ahead.

Today, with five grandkids in my quiver and always something to do, I don’t listen to the messages as much. Instead, I thank God for the joy that each one of my grandchildren brings.

I hold fast to this Bible verse: “Train children in the way they should go; when they grow old, they won’t depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6, CEB).

Although I was not aware of that verse when my three children were growing up, and I did not begin a personal relationship with the Lord till I was in my forties, I feel God has given me a second chance to train up my grandkids with faith in God.

I can see that my words as a grandmother are rubbing off on my children too, for they are also following God. But, oh, what a joy to speak of Jesus and to encourage these little ones just how much God loves them and that no matter what they face, God will always be right by their side.

So yes, in this new season in my life I might still tuck a few things away, but how much more precious it is to give. I can take the special incidents, or the innocent comments from my grandkids and use them in my writing. I can turn one little thing they do or say into a devotion, a blog, or even weave it into an interesting story when I’m called on to speak.

Jesus said it best, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust^[g] consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV).

So, if you’d like to hear more of my grandma stories, or follow me on my journey, stop by www.Pen4theLord.com and see what’s happening today!