This Is Your Reminder

When my grandson was only 3, I wrote a blog post entitled~ “Before You Blink”.
I really wrote it as a reminder for my daughter, because I remembered. I warned her how quickly time goes by. To cherish every moment with her little one. I warned her not to blink.


But then I blinked.
Six years went by.


Last week we took our 5 oldest grandchildren up north for a few days and on the way we stopped for lunch. The restaurant wasn’t particularly busy so when my 9 year old grandson asked if he could refill his drink all by himself, I allowed it. The other kids and I were in the play place as I watched this little man wait patiently in line and then use the large pop machine to mix his lemonade and iced tea.


As I stood behind that glass partition, a flood of emotions enveloped my soul. I love him more than words can express. He is so precious to me. I would die to protect him. I’m so proud of him and the kind little man he has become. His desire to love the Lord brings tears. I felt every feeling in that moment as I watched him.


My eyes gazed over at all my grandchildren and I almost cried standing there in that playroom.


What a love. This is what love looks like. It is so powerful that the most eloquent words ever written cannot capture that feeling my heart has for them.


And right there in that moment all the noise of customers and laughter of children faded into the background as I felt God telling me~
“That love. Magnify that love over and over and you still will not know the depth of love I have for you, or how much I love you Charisse.” The realization of that and the thought that God would remind me right then and there was overwhelmingly beautiful to me.


That love? The most eloquent words I have ever written could not capture the magnitude of love God has for me.


And for you.


I will often read that old post I wrote because it’s such a good reminder. It is relatable for anyone you love deeply. Cherish every minute. I don’t want to blink. I want to celebrate every beautiful, precious moment with my husband, my children, my family and my sisters and brothers in Christ. And I want to hold on to every breathtaking moment with these grandchildren of mine. I want to soak up every word as they talk to me, because I know how quickly time passes.


And as I think on this, I cannot help but think of my Heavenly Father loving me like that. I have no eloquent words this week. No long text with multiple scripture references. Just one thought. Just one verse.


God loves you.
Three words that say everything.
God loves YOU!


“For God SO LOVED the world…”
John 3:16


Maybe you needed to be reminded of that today. I know I did, and in that moment as I watched my little man…when I was trying not to blink, yet blinking away the tears…
God reminded me.