Thirty-One Things - The Most Important Thing

The most important thing…

Profound question. There are constant priorities and then those that shift. This weekend I have thought a lot about it with opportunities that have presented itself.

I’ve been thinking a lot about having an influence on others. Being faithful to my responsibilities. Investing my life into others.

Since Elisabeth Elliot died this summer, I was researching some of her work and came across a youtube video about “A Grandmother's Influence.” When Noah and/or Elijah come to visit, they know to leave their DS’s at home. They know there are other things to do at Mamaw’s. I’ve always given them my attention. But Elisabeth spoke about writing letters and being present when you are apart.  I wrote them a card when they started school.  So proud of them. Lydia said Noah put it on the refrigerator and Elijah put the photo in their room.

This summer I had Noah and Elijah help with the flowers. They planted marigold seeds and sunflower seeds.  Today they came over for the afternoon.  They were amazed at how big the sunflowers were and Elijah was so proud of his orange and yellow marigolds.  Elijah helped trim the dead flowers off the butterfly bush. They were thrilled to discover a big grasshopper on one of the stems. Hot dogs and ice cream sandwiches. And two games of Quirkle. It was an investment for eternity.

Caleb is in the hospital. Admitted since late Friday night. He is so vulnerable and so does not understand. He is my responsibility. A God-given responsibility. Seeing him in that hospital bed, my heart swelled and I knew what I already knew.

Once in a golden hour, I cast to earth a seed.

Up there came a flower.  The people said, a weed.

--Alfred Lord Tennyson

My life is dedicated to showing the world the flower that Caleb is.