One morning while preparing for work, I began praying and asking the Lord to guide my day so that I would walk in His perfect will. I asked Him who He wanted me to pray for that morning. Immediately, the Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart that I should call my youngest granddaughter, Tristan—also known as TT—and pray with her before she went to school.
So, I called my youngest daughter, Portia, and told her what I wanted to do. She was delighted, especially since Tristan had just started kindergarten and was entering a new social environment.
That was over four years ago. Today, our morning prayer sessions include thankfulness declarations from her mom and her brothers, Paxton, Maverick, and Remington. Her youngest sibling, Gwendolyn (“Gwenni”), was only five months old at the time of this writing. However, I am already looking forward to hearing her sweet declarations of thankfulness in the years ahead.
Each weekday morning, my phone alarm buzzes to remind me to call my youngest grandchildren. It is such a joy to be greeted by their cheerful “Good morning!” I ask them—and their mom—to share one thing they are thankful for.
Tristan often says she is thankful for me, but lately she has been especially thankful for her new baby sister, Gwenni. Paxton is always thankful for “God’s love, God’s promises, God’s truth, and the gazillion, trillion warrior angels He sends to protect us!” Maverick, affectionately known as Mavy, is usually thankful for “Papa James.” Remington, or Remy, does not speak very clearly yet, but whatever he says he is thankful for, the Lord understands his precious two-year-old heart.
After everyone shares what they are thankful for, I close with a prayer, and we end our call by exchanging our customary “Adios, Amigos and Amigas.” My day is always richer after those morning declarations. Their childlike faith and honesty remind me that there is always something to be thankful for.
Tristan is now heading into the third grade, and Paxton into the first grade. Mavy will be entering his final year of preschool, while Remy will begin his first year. As for Gwenni, she will continue spending her weekdays with her mom and dad for a little while longer.
My grandbaby blessings are growing up so quickly, and I want to cherish every moment with them for as long as the Lord allows. I am thankful for my 7:15 a.m. alarm because it gives me the opportunity to connect my gratitude with the innocent thankfulness of TT, Paxton, Mavy, Remy, Gwenni, and Portia.
What’s one thing you’re thankful for today?
