HOPE

Hang Onto Possible Endings

Hope Brings Joy

I managed to stifle the sobs but I couldn’t contain my tears.  Flowing freely down my face, they washed over me with the power of God’s Holy Spirit.  Joy splashed from my eyes as I watched my grandson place one hand over his heart and lift his other hand into the air as these words slipped through his lips, “This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.” Joining his tiny voice with over a hundred other precious voices was too much for me. Through the years, I have loved and taught many of the other children in kindergarten. And so I sat, unashamed, in the audience on Grandparent’s Day as both teacher and nana, and wept.

This is my twentieth year to teach at St. Joseph Christian School.  That means I have sat onion-eyed, as my dear friend likes to say, many times before. There is something sweet and inspiring, listening to a children’s chorus singing about God and praising Him. But this year, it went beyond the sweet simplicity of precious voices.  It ventured further than the inspiration of the beautiful hymn. This year, my grandchild’s voice was added to the mix.  The unexpected child born before I thought it was time; the unexpected gift of joy and hope wrapped in a little boy’s body, and given for such a time as this.

My daughter shared the news when she was a senior in high school.  It was not the way I wanted to join the grandparent club. I am learning that God’s sovereign grace doesn’t always care what I want, yet always cares for me.  Through prayer, God tenderly worked in our family to embrace and welcome this gift.

Unexpected to us, but divinely expected and given by God.

My grandson is learning to read and love Jesus in the classroom next to mine.  I slipped next door for a few minutes to join him and Papa T in the grandparents’ activities. We played “guess what I made with my playdoh” and shared some laughs together as he sat on my lap before returning to my room to wrap things up there. When the festivities of the day were over,  I walked hand in hand from the building with my gift. He climbed into the booster seat in the back of my car.  We were both tired and quietly we buckled our seatbelts. His small voice broke the silence first. “I don’t know why I was crying.”

Surprised that he would bring it up, my mind immediately replayed what I thought I’d seen during the program, the quick wiping of his eyes while singing,

“Do you mean while you were singing?”

“Yes, I don’t know why tears were coming.”

“Sometimes when I sing to Jesus, I cry because I love him so much. God’s Holy Spirit is so strong I can feel it and sometimes I cry.”

“I think that’s what happened to me.”

More tears flowed; in gratitude to the One whose grace fills my heart, and taught me to hope: hang onto possible endings. In His sovereign timing, Romans 8:28 was our memory verse for the week.

Father, you really do work all things for good of those who love you, who are called according to your purpose. Your timing is amazing, your love overwhelming, and your grace really is sufficient for me. Thank you for your gift of hope and helping me to hang onto possible endings.

What is God doing in your life that brings tears of joy to your eyes?

©Cindy Richardson 2016

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Comments

  1. Jane Goeking says

    What beautiful climax to days of uncertainty 5 years ago, Cindy. Thank you for glorifying the Lord and encouraging so many with your story!

    Reply

    • cindyrichardson.org says

      I am so grateful to the Lord for His grace and mercy. I will also be forever grateful for the wonderful work of the Pregnancy Resource Clinic. Thank you, Jane, for your dedication to helping women choose life and then equip them for parenting their precious gift from the Lord. Your service in training volunteers and meeting with the young women was inspiring and I know that many lives were changed.

      Reply

  3. hardwicke5 says

    Cindy I loved this, identifying with the tears a believer sheds in worship as well as your Nana heart. We don’t get to see our precious grands as often as you do but I’m grateful when we have the opportunity. (at least they’re not in Timbuktu–at least for now!) Blessings Michelle ________________________________

    Reply

  4. cindyrichardson.org says

    Michelle, it was a powerful experience, forever etched in my mind. Emily and Trevor will be moving to Austin when school is out, so I am trying to cherish every moment! I enjoy seeing the pictures of your trips to visit your grands. They are getting so big!

    Reply

  5. Eryn Haleigh Lynum says

    This is beautiful, and so touching. It made me think of a few moments with my own son, five years old, and I’m anticipating more of these teary-eyed moments as he grows to know his Savior! Thank you for this beautiful story.

    Reply

    • cindyrichardson.org says

      Eryn, there is so much joy in watching faith spring up in a child. As the Lord reveals himself to each one of your precious boys may they respond with faith, filling your life with much joy. Blessings to you as you parent with hope and much love!

      Reply

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    Reply

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