My Hope

Something special happened to me nine months ago. A little girl was born: Ella, my very first grandchild. With my youngest child being almost 28, memories of what an infant can do to your emotions had faded somewhat. With Ella, all of those came flooding back.

There is something so special about a tiny life like that. There is an utter dependence, a complete, unquestioning trust on their part that generates within the responsible adults an utterly unfathomable love. Unlike a lot of grandparents, I have had the blessing of being able to interact with Ella every day. Along with her parents and grandmother, I get to feed her, play with her, laugh with her when she is happy, console her when she is sad. I get to share in seeing her grow and change, experiencing things for the first time. I get the opportunity to guide her, to correct her, to show her things, to help her grow. And this responsibility just makes me love her all the more.

Do you think that’s how God sees us? We are utterly dependent on Him for everything, and he willingly and lovingly provides for us. He looks on us tenderly and supports us through the changes in our lives, in our growth, in our joys, and in our sorrows. He loves us unconditionally.

It has been said that a child’s first image of God is his or her parents. I have the unspeakable joy of sharing a bit in that “reflected glory.” My hope is that Ella will always be able to see God in me. My prayer is that God make me the man that my granddaughter thinks I am.

-Pat Bradford

#MaysvilleMessenger