Memories are precious treasured moments nestled within our souls that last a lifetime.  Growing up, I remember spending every other weekend with my grandparents and most of the summers until I became a preteen.  As I became older, I spent a few years living with my grandparents and attending school under their care.  I just loved being with them and they loved having me there anytime I wanted.

I’ll never forget all the beautiful moments I spent with my grandmother.  I swear sometimes I can still smell her soft scent of this one lotion she always wore.  I just wish I could remember the name.  Nevertheless, just the memory of her scent is more than enough.  I recall those trips on the bus going to downtown to pass out little pamphlets from church.  Yes!  I was that little girl that walked up to you smiling, to hand you a little pamphlet with our church information stamped neatly in the back.  I made sure to do so myself the night before.  We would walk up and down the streets of downtown until we gave every single pamphlet away.  Once we were finished, we’d walk over to Woolworth for a slice of pizza. 

Another great memory that has always stayed with me, is the day we sat on her porch while she watered plants.  I asked her to tell me the story again.  The story that resonated like a fairytale to me.  The story of The New Jerusalem, with its streets of pure gold that look like glass surrounded by twelve gates made of up twelve pearls with twelve angels.  Every time she told me the story I lit up with a smile in awe of the beauty of this incredible city she described to me.  I didn’t care for Cinderella or Snow White stories.  I wanted the story of The New Jerusalem every night.

Those were just some of the most beautiful memories I have treasured in my heart.  On Sunday, I was blessed with a precious perfect little princess…my very first grandchild.  My granddaughter Isabella Marie, made here debut into this world.  Everything about her was just so perfect.  I prayed and I cried as I witnessed the beautiful miracle of this precious tiny gift from God.  This moment, this precious moment I was blessed to share with my son and his wife, is a treasure that will last with me forever.  I took my precious grandbaby into my arms and anointed her with oil as I prayed over her, dedicating her to God.  I kept thinking how my grandmother and grandfather, took me once into their arms and dedicated me to God.  

They made a commitment, as did I, with God.  Scripture tells us in  Proverbs 22:6,

“Start children off on the way they should go,

and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”

I want my grandbaby to learn all the beautiful things my grandparents taught me.  I want her to know God like I do.  I want her to wear those ruffly dresses with shiny patent leather shoes like they had me wear.  Maybe not as many ruffles as mine.  I want to know that I will be creating beautiful treasured memories with her for her to hold onto forever. 

Grandma gave me my first HUGE white Bible that I kept till the day it was lost in a flood.  I couldn’t find that similar bible, but I found Isabella the perfect bible her mommy and daddy can read to her.  I look forward to sharing incredible moments with her.  Yes, I want to have those girly moments being silly, baking cupcakes and eating way too much frosting.  But I love the idea that I will get to share those same childhood stories from the bible that were told to me growing up.  Maybe one day, she will help me write or blog or whatever I will be doing when she gets older.  Whatever it is, I vowed to God and to myself, that I will teach her the way to go.  To follow His steps as she begins this glorious journey we call life.  I pray that I can one day be the very same blessing of a grandma that my grandma was to me. 

Cherish your babies.  Be the leader in their life God blessed you to be.  Show them the way and they will always know where to go and whom to go to.  Remember, what they see is what they learn.

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 11:18-19

XOXO…Ileen

psst…God Loves You