One of my earliest memories is of arguing with some girlfriends during the war years. They insisted that God didn’t like the Germans. I was upset and argued back “but God has to love everyone.” And then theatrically walked away and marched home.
Although my parents didn’t attend church, they sent me with my older sister and obviously I’d picked up some of the teaching. It became a part of my growing up.
I married my childhood sweetheart and we had two little girls. Our church family became an extension of our own family and our church friends became our life-long friends.
There were no deep discussions about faith at the dinner table, but I felt we were sowing seeds of faith. We attended church regularly and eventually it was time for the girls to take membership classes. I left the decision up to them. One joined, one didn’t. Sometimes it is hard to accept that God’s timeline is different from our own.
Soon they were gone. My daily prayers followed them as they had their triumphs and their tragedies. I hoped they would find a church home to worship in. One did. One didn’t. But I kept on praying and the years slipped by.
Soon there was a wedding and eventually two precious grandchildren. What a wonderful second chance God gives us with grandchildren. Oh, the joy of walks in the park, adventures in the woods and picnics in the back yard during their time with us.
As they grew older we had daily devotions together. One read the scripture, the other the Daily Bread devotional and we discussed the message that day. As both of them were being raised Catholic I never pushed … just shared my beliefs.
Recently my grandson’s marriage was approaching. His in-laws-to-be in were occupying his apartment until he and his new wife returned from their honeymoon. He knew they were uncomfortable with the Catholic symbols in the apartment and wondered, would he be denying his faith if he took them down while they were there? He asked, “What do you think grandma?”
“Did I ever push my beliefs on you, sweetheart?” I replied.
He looked astounded and said, “Of course not.”
So, I advised,” I don’t think you want to do that either; you’ll have a lifetime to share with them what you believe.”
And that is really what it is all about … sharing what you believe … planting seeds and waiting for God to bring in the final harvest.
