Just Call Me Grandpa

By Jerry Ousley

"In my Father's house
are many rooms; if
it were not so,  I
would have told you
I am going there to
prepare a place for
you.
John 14:2

knew that if I stuck around on this planet long enough the day would come when I would move from Dad to Grandpa. Our daughter, Megan, gave birth to our first grandchild on March 1st of 2008. I'm not proud or anything, but if you'd like to see our new granddaughter I've got plenty of pictures I could show you.

The first time I held my little "Peanut" I felt a love and desire to “protect” like I hadn't felt in many years. I also feel a great need to completely spoil this little girl. I hope she likes her Grandpa as much as her Grandpa likes her. By the way, her Grandma is pretty proud too.

When we visited them, I got to hold that precious little bundle of joy for quite a while. As I looked down on the sleeping blessing from God I felt warmth transferring from me to her. I knew she felt safe in Grandpa's arms because she slept like a little doll.

Yeah, I don't want to brag too much, but what can you say when you're holding the prettiest and most precious little baby in the world (of course I'm sure that each of you who have experienced Grandparentdom could say the same thing).

It reminds me of our Lord. You know, He probably feels the same way about each and every soul that is born into His Kingdom. He cuddles and holds us and wants the best for each of us. Although He wants us to grow into mature Christians, I believe He also wants to spoil us with His blessings (and He does).

All through the Gospels, Jesus told us not to worry about things and spoke of how much God the Father loves us. He talked about how that He was going to Heaven to prepare a place for us. Just like parents prepare a room for their expectant child, He's getting it all set up and when we get there it will be finished, ready, and just exactly what we need.

Debbie and I fixed some things up at our house too in anticipation of our little "Peanut." We bought a crib and several things we're going to need because folks we plan on doing our fair share of babysitting for this little girl.

God is making all things ready for us. The day will come and the time will arrive when we will be birthed from this world to our real home in Heaven. That will be an exciting day.

I know we all dread it now, just like that little baby who probably thought that her world had fallen apart when she moved from the warmth and safety of their mother's womb into this world.

But it was necessary for the next step of growth. And so is our move from this world to Heaven. We don't know what to expect. It scares us to think about leaving the life we've known for so long.

But let me tell you, it will be the best thing that ever happened, at least if we are Believers in Jesus Christ His disciples and followers of Him.

For now we rest in the comfort of His arms, feeling His warmth and love surround us. Things aren't always pleasant and we get upset just like a baby who gets hungry or needs a diaper changed. I know our little "Peanut" isn't very fond of being changed or having a new outfit put on her; but those things are very necessary.

Sometimes God has to do some necessary things in our lives as well. We don't like it. It seems inconvenient and we rebel, complain and sometimes get very fussy. But it has to be done. It's for our own good.

So the next time God puts you in an uncomfortable position or situation, just know that the best will come of it. It may not seem like it at the time but it will; you'll see. I'm going to stop now because I think I hear my "Peanut" calling me from 10 miles away.