Monday, June 14, 2010

Dearest God,

Two little girls ages four and five joined me today. My granddaughters Lucy and Stella are sweethearts. Because their older sisters will be spending 10 days in Maine with us, I wanted to spend time with the the little ones.

First we retrieved Grandpa Harold from the airport where I had taken him just a few hours before his plane was delayed, then canceled. Next we went to the bookstore where I read them a book and he bought them paint books. Then we painted at home, the pictures, themselves and the floor. We played card games and left to watch Lucy cheer at her cheer lessons.

Following that we stopped at a restaurant for supper when we were alerted to a tornado just six miles down the road. Unlike anyone else in the diner, we went to the restroom and sat on the floor under the counter just in case the tornado decided to strike. That's where we had our best discussion. "Do tornadoes have eyes, Grandma? Can they see us? Are they looking for us?" Lucy asked. "No, honey, they aren't looking for us." I replied. That's when we decided to pray. Each girl wanted to add something to the prayer. Stella prayed for the weather and then added a little girl's name Grace who has cancer. Lucy prayed for the tornado and three other children who either have cancer or terminal illnesses. What a thing of beauty to watch these young girls pray for sick children at a time when they were afraid for themselves.

As the dark clouds passed over without incident, we returned to our spaghetti giving thanks.

You are
a great God,
Wondrous Creator.
You remind us
to think
not only
of ourselves,
but others.
You remind us
to pray,
to ask
for healing
and hope.
You bring
to mind
your great love
especially for
the sick,
the poor,
the fearful.
You stir us
to love
and reach out.
How grateful
I am
for gentle reminders
and thoughtful granddaughters.

Love, Andrea