I called the home of my son Josh last night since I knew he would be watching our team, the L.A.Lakers, play the Celtics. I used the game as a reason for my call, but, frankly, I called just to hear the voices and to connect with each family member I knew would be there watching the game. After talking to Josh and my son David for a while, I spent some time talking to my oldest grandson. Tyler is just old enough to know I have gone to someplace called "Texas" and he is not a fan. He knows Grandpa moved away from him and that I don’t come over to see him and play with him nearly as much as I did before. Josh tells me that Tyler likes to grab the phone and walk around the house while he talks to me and that he nods often when I ask him questions. I can hear his parents reminding him to talk and not to just nod. He is catching on fast. When I saw him a few weeks ago, he kept grabbing my hand and saying, “Grandpa go to Texas? Tyler go to Texas too”. Grandpa had to work really, really hard not to cry. How can I explain this to Tyler? How can Grandpa let him know that I love him more than any ability to express in words or deeds? Grandpa knows Tyler will be just fine, but Grandpa is beginning to wonder how he is going to survive.
There may be folks out there “living the dream” but it never quite reaches that state for me. While living among my children and grandchildren, I was unable to find a path to ministry that fit my Evangelical beliefs and practices. Now that God has led me to become part of this incredible church family, I have to settle for a long distance relationship with my immediate family. I know that this is not uncommon. Many of us have to live and work in places far from our extended family. But how do I explain this to Tyler? All he knows is that Grandpa has gone from a lap to snuggle into to watch Shrek to a voice on the phone. He does not like Texas at this point in time. He wants Grandpa…and Grandpa wants to snuggle with Tyler watch Shrek and eat chocolate.
Jesus did not have any children while on this earth and he died far too young to be a Grandpa, but he certainly understood how precious children and their parents are. When the parents brought the children to see him, I can just see Jesus grabbing them up in a big hug (like I hug my grandchildren) and laughing as they laughed back. I can imagine his gentle touch and the understanding in his glance at the Dads and Moms (and probably a few grandparents as well) as he welcomed their children. He held them up to the disciples and said, “Do you see how dependent this child is upon everyone else? Do you see how this child has no hope or prayer for survival without the care and concern of an adult? This is how you must become to enter the Kingdom. In Mark, the very next story is about the Rich (Young) Ruler who is too dependent upon his wealth to enter the Kingdom. Little children are not encumbered by such concerns. Tyler may not understand why Grandpa had to go to Texas and why he can’t come too, but he does not ever worry about what he will eat or what he will wear or if he will be safe. His father and mother, Josh and Wendy, love him and care for him (and Cody and Hunter) and these boys lack for nothing. Tyler knows that. He also knows that everyone in his life right now is on his side. He is surrounded by love and protection and provision.
Jesus tells us that we, too, do not have to worry about such things (c.f. the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7). I can leave Tyler behind only because I am utterly confident that he is going to be cared for no matter what. Tyler knows that too. Grandpa still has to work on having the faith that my little grandson teaches me I ought to have in my Heavenly Father. Thanks, Tyler. Grandpa will be back as soon as he can and we’ll watch Shrek and eat chocolate.