Nobody Sits in DaDa’s Chair

I’ve been in “heaven on earth” this past week. Nothing in this world beats spending time with my grandbabies. However, it was not Grammy who led the way this trip. To be honest, much wisdom was garnered from my little ones. I, now, more fully understand why “Jesus said, Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 (ESV). No doubt about it, I have only to enter the world of my grandbabies to fathom deeper how God longs for us older ones to worship Him.

For instance, let me share my lunch experience with RoRo and BoBo. Having prepared their favorites and set them on the table, I called them to the dining room. Immediately upon securing RoRo in her highchair, her tiny arms reached out. BoBo’s were, also, extended. Stretching mine to hold onto theirs, BoBo closed his eyes and bowed his head. Grammy led the prayer, and both little ones joined in. BoBo repeated, phrase by phrase, our litany of “thank you, God ” and “please, God”, while RoRo reverently babbled her praises.

Talking to God before each and every meal is not second nature but “first of nature” for these little children. What about us, adults? No matter where these babies are, they do not eat before they talk to God. What about us, adults?

After our prayer’s “Amen” was when I committed the cardinal sin. Nonchalantly, I had the audacity to sit in BoBo’s and RoRo’s Daddy’s chair. Now RoRo might only be 21 months, but she blurted out an earsplitting aria of disdain. The lyrics were “NO, DATS DADA’s!!!” She kept repeating the refrain till my bottom was out of her DaDa’s throne. Herein, rested, or I should say rose, supreme baby wisdom — wisdom, I shamefully admit, that we, adults, forget or, worse yet, discard.

Look at our world, today. Everywhere you gaze, God’s place is lost, usurped and disregarded. Human beings place themselves as gods and rule from their needs and wants. We fail to even seat God, our Father, in our midst — let alone give Him the place of honor. However, if you ever want to see how God yearns for us to revere Him, look to preschooler BoBo, baby RoRo and other little ones. Nobody can replace their DaDa. Daddy is their hero. He can do anything. Nobody can fill his throne, shoes or place in their lives. Time spent with Daddy is the pinnacle of, not only, their sunny days, but also, their dark nights.

Shelves of books line the wall for BoBo and RoRo. Surprised, but delighted, I learned that RoRo’s favorite stories come alive within the covers of her “Bye Bull”. Declaring “Story Time” finds her racing for the bookcase and pulling out her heavy children’s “Bye Bull”. Dragging it to you, her sweet little face shines with delight. What about us, adults? When we pick up our Bibles, do we get excited, or do we feel we are labored with obligation?

Minutes ago, as I finished reading the “Bye Bull” to both RoRo and BoBo and tucked them in for afternoon “Quiet Time”, I picked up my own Bible and turned to Matthew 18:2-3 (ESV). “And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven’.” This Grammy is so grateful for being schooled in “Bye Bull” wisdom through the blessing of my grandbabies.