Patience Like a Grandparent

Patience like a grandparent....

The more I write and reflect on my childhood, the more I realize how blessed I have been to have grown up with grandparents. In fact, it’s hard for me to find many childhood memories that don't somehow involve one of them.

At almost 48 years old, I still have three of my four grandparents living. To say that I’m blessed doesn’t seem to cover it.

As a child I was an incredibly picky eater. I can even remember my mom giving me a time limit on finishing my supper in an attempt to get me to eat.

Those table conversations went something like this:

Mom: Amanda, you have until the big hand gets to the six to take three bites.

Me: [leaning over and whispering to my sister] Jill, do I like this?

Mom: Jill, you better tell her she likes it!

When I went to visit with my grandparents, they were a little more lenient on what I ate. I remember them offering me different things that they thought might appeal to me. Many times they satisfied me with a pickle and some cheese.

My grandparents seemed to be a little more patient about my picky eating and general stubbornness.

I can remember one day in particular that this patience was put to the test. My grandparents often took family trips with the kids and grandkids. On this occasion I’m not sure where we had been or where we were going, but I do know that we had stopped at a fast food restaurant for breakfast.

Cue the stubborn, picky eater.

Me: I don’t want breakfast. I don’t like it.

Papa: What do you want?

Me: I want to eat at Captain D’s.

Obviously this was not an option for breakfast, but my papa loaded us back up and searched for the nearest Captain D’s. Mind you, this is way before GPS. We depended on prior knowledge, paper maps and helpful gas station attendants to find our way. Eventually we found a Captain D’s and we waited in the parking lot until it opened for lunch at 10:30.

I was so excited! What a special treat!

As we approach the register to order….

Papa: [leaning over to ask] Amanda, what do you want to order?

Me: A cheeseburger!

If you didn’t just laugh or roll your eyes, you have never been to a Captain D’s!

This memory makes me think about a couple of things. First, I wonder how many times I have asked for or looked for things in the wrong places. Second, I wonder how many times God has been patient with me when I did.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:16 NIV

That day, when I cried for a cheeseburger at Captain D’s, you would think that my family would have been upset with me. Maybe they were, but I don’t remember that part if that was the case. However, I do remember and know that they were patient enough with me to be willing to drive around and find a Captain D’s for a stubborn, picky and confused little girl.

Today I am so thankful for my Father in Heaven who is incredibly patient and merciful. He redirects me when I search for wrong things in wrong places. He softens my stubborn nature and he forgives me when I am bad.

He will do the same for you if you ask.