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From a Grandma’s Perspective….

 I Don’t Like That!

 “Every good and perfect gift is from above

and comes down from the Father of lights….”

James 1:17

As a grandma I get really excited about Christmas.   This year I found the perfect Christmas gifts for the grandchildren; adorable black cowboy and pink cowgirl boots. They were miniature versions of the real thing except they had twinkle stars on the sides that lit up when you walked.  I could just visualize the sparkle and excitement in the grandchildren’s eyes when they saw their new boots.

When it came time to open the four identically wrapped presents under the tree, I had the children sit in a circle and open them all together. I sat in the circle with them, holding and helping Ryan.  Emily and Lauren, who are six and five, reacted as if on cue.  They put on their boots and strutted with glee.  At one year of age, Ryan is a seasoned walker but with cowboy boots on it was a different game.  He lurched and stumbled as we laughed at his hilarious attempts to walk in heels!  Three-year-old Karla took one look at her boots, puckered up her snoot, and announced, “I don’t like that.”

Immediately there was a mad scramble to convince her of the cuteness the boots. No amount of peer pressure or pep talk could persuade her to even try the boots on.  She obviously had an opinion and nothing was going to change it.  I am sure she does not take after my side of the family!

The perfect gift did not suit her taste.  Karla is a very opinioned young lady about many things, one of which includes her shoes.  Her mother has learned not to purchase shoes without her along.  If they don’t meet her approval the battle that follows is not worth the fight.

God has given us many perfect gifts.  He anticipates our glee when He splashes the sky with a brilliant sunset, refreshes the earth with rain, blankets the ground with snow, lights up the night sky with moon rays, and warms the earth with the sun.  He planned families, friendships, homes and churches sprinkled with love, joy, peace and kindness.  He desires to bless us with health, food, shelter and clothes.  His most perfect gift was Jesus, wrapped in salvation and forgiveness.

How many times have I grumbled, “I don’t like that” when rain changes a planned event, snow keeps me homebound, the sun is too hot or the night too cold? Do God’s perfect gifts not quite suit the whims of my moment?   Maybe the next time God goes shopping, He should take me along and let me pick the colors for the rainbow, sunset, fall leaves and the cardinal.  Maybe He needs to ask my advice when He sets the timer on the rain and meters out the length of days.

Or maybe…… I should learn to say “thank-you” with a grateful heart.

By Pat Hertzler

December 29, 2006

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