“Oh no, Elena, you don’t want that,” I say to our one-year old granddaughter. Obligingly she holds up to me a minuscule scrap of paper she’s found on the floor. Thanks to much practice with Cheerios, her thumb and forefinger can pick up the tiniest items.
Elena and I are on an excursion through the living room and dining room. From her jaunty steps, I can tell she’s loving the freedom to explore. And I’m glad to provide the watchful eye she needs.
No sooner do I slip the paper into my pocket than her little hands are grabbing for a cell phone on a side table. You wouldn’t think her arms are long enough to reach that far. Daddy says she has the wingspan of a pterodactyl.
“I’m sorry, Elena,” I tell her. “We’ll have to put that up here on the shelf. Mommy’s phone isn’t a toy.”
I think she’s heard that before. The removal of the phone doesn’t upset her; she just moves on. Quickly Elena toddles toward the living room fireplace where unlit candles stand in a decorative formation. Not for long. She grabs the chunky, center candle, clutches it to her chest, and proceeds on her way around the table.
“Let’s leave the candle here,” I say, gently prying it out of her fingers. “If you drop that on your toes, it will hurt.”
I’m surprised Elena doesn’t become upset. For a moment I think she’ll march on to other discoveries and leave the other candles in the fireplace. Instead, she wastes no time turning around and heading back. Soon there are five candles up on the table.
And so it goes as I tag along behind a toddler who knows very little, fears practically nothing, and desperately wants to be free and independent. We adults must be attentive, instructive, and protective.
You know what? There are times I’m not much more than a toddler in God’s family. I, too, know very little, lack a healthy fear of those things that could hurt me, and struggle against the desire to be free and make my own choices.
Good thing I have a Heavenly Father who is so attentive.
“He who watches over [me] will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3).
My Heavenly Father is instructive.
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:9). Key word: humble. I have to be accepting of instruction and willing to apply it.
My God is also protective.
“He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge” (Psalm 144:2).
* * * * * * * * * *
Oh, Father, forgive me for the times I act like a toddler and take off on my own. Thank you for your constant, watchful presence, for those times you’ve grabbed things from my grasp because you knew they were not in my best interest. Thank you for instructing me through your word and through wise, godly people. Slowly but surely you have equipped me with the knowledge of your ways–ways that are good and right. Then you’ve patiently trained me to follow those ways. May my heart be set on keeping your decrees to the very end (Psalm 119:112)!
(Photo credit: http://www.pexel.com)
From the Inside Out 
Oh how you made me smile!! Our first granddaughter was just like that. It took two of us to babysit her. The others were so much easier ( less active). Sometimes it seems like all grandparents say is, ‘Be careful’. After all, however, those ARE great words for life!! Be careful!!
Oh, yes, Grace–that’s scriptural, too! “Be careful to do everything I have said to you” (Exodus 23:13). Great words for a great life, indeed. But like Elena, I need a lot of help!!
Thanks for sharing. yep we are just pretty busy babies before our God. He loves us passionately. W
So true, W. Thanks be to God for his love that motivates him to keep watch like a shepherd (Jeremiah 31:10)!
🙂
What an exhausting phase toddlerhood is! More than any other thing in life, my children’s early years are what showed me my need for His grace every minute. It’s the hardest work I’ve ever done! Funny that I can miss that phase even so. 🙂
As my son says, about the challenges of raising little ones, “It’s a good thing babies are so cute!” But you’re right, Rebeca. The tough work does much to teach us about patience, perseverance, self-discipline, AND grace.
I loved this one! We were all spiritual toddlers once and, some days, still are. I like the reminder that my heavenly Father has His watchful eye on me. 🙂
How was the closing?
Do I dare ask about the weather?
Miss you – hoping to get over mid to late March. Peter won’t be coming. He’s actually working five days a week! THIS from the man who almost lost his leg six months ago. Amazing!
Love to you both, Mick
Hey, Girlfriend! What a delight to see you here!
Closing was seamless; demo started today. Weather was cold but clear most of the time.
SO glad to hear such great news about Peter, but will miss him when you visit.
Love 2 U 2, 2!!
I just love this! What a great story…with real application. It’s been a long time since I’ve watch a toddler. Teens are a different kind of watchfulness, I’ve noticed. 😉
Thank you, Jennifer. And you are so right about teenagers. M-m-m. What spiritual application might be inspired by that stage of life…
I don’t know. A lot of knee-mail seems to be the thing…
Knee-mail? Please enlighten me!!
Prayer. 😉
Of course!! Oh, I love that term!
Beautiful story and wonderful reflection! Loved it!
Thank you, Cheryl. I am honored you found the reflection worthwhile!
This great post reminded me of how the Lord also knows my heart well enough to anticipate my intentions and protects me from myself. Just this week I experienced a situation where I was thinking about reacting in a potentially wrong way to a friend’s hurtful action regarding me. I thought and thought about it,, got busy and forgot (the Lord’s handiwork, I am sure). The next thing I knew this person messaged me to explain her actions…even though I had not contacted her. I immediately thanked the Lord for his intervention. My Lord is Wonderful!
What a great example of how God works behind the scenes on behalf of his children! Indeed–our God is WONDERUFL!!
Love the post, I could see how your precious granddaughter would explore all the things in the room and just like a loving Grandma, you protected her from taking things that would not be good for her. Just like our Heavenly Father protects us when He sees we are headed to and for the wrong way.
Thank you, Laura. It IS glorious to contemplate that our Heavenly Father lovingly and carefully protects us!