That's My Granny

8/9/2020

Nikita and I were neighbors, but we didn't really know each other. I knew the wonderful food aromas that would come from downstairs and she knew the many little feet that I tried to keep from running through the house, as we lived above her in Eastgate.

But it was not until I had moved that I met her. And I am very grateful to have her as a part of our family.

Nikita may not always see it in herself, but she is brave. This mom came to a Bible Study, not knowing any of the women there. Although she came in with trepidation, she also came in with a heart that was seeking God.

At the time she began attending Bible Study, she was going through some things at home and although she would not have believed it, what she really needed was to be part of a community; a loving community where we operate as a body. Where a heavy load is shared, regardless of whose load.

Now, I said Nikita needed community, we are all created to be in community. We were never created to live in isolation. God created Adam and noted he should not be alone. Also, God was right there with them. Scripture even describes Christ followers as a body. Meaning although we are all created uniquely and have our own purpose, we need each other.

At the time Nikita began attending, her youngest son was just a baby. She found herself needing childcare to be able to work. Now, she didn't walk in and say that's what she needed, but it was. And because we were functioning as a body, when one part of the body is in need or hurting, the rest of the body doesn't just feel it, it does what it can to make itself whole again. You see when part of the body is in pain , the whole body feels the pain. One of the other mom's that was also attending the Bible Study, just saw a need that she was able to fill and without thought, she offered to be a part of the solution.

When I think about "doing the right thing, because it is the right thing to do," that's what comes to mind. It is not some well thought out or premeditated plan, but it is seeing a need or an injustice and stepping right in because they could add value to the situation.

So, it started just like that. It was definitely a What If Christ moment. Daniel started visiting Ms. Lucille and getting to know her and she was getting to know him and Nikita.

This became a beautiful picture of What If Christ. Nikita would bring Ms. Lucille to work. Ms. Lucille babysat Daniel while Nikita worked. They prayed for one another. At the start of school, Ms. Lucille would buy some school supplies. Nikita would get something that she thought Ms. Lucille would like, so she would share it with her. When there were school events, Ms. Lucille was there. None of this was a chore, it was all a choice.

Nikita, Daniel and Ms. Lucille were just going along with life. One day when they were all at the grocery store. Daniel was sitting in the child designated area of the shopping basket and Ms. Lucille was standing near and a nearby shopper complimented Daniel on his good looks and asked him who was with him. He responded, "That's my granny."

This was a surprise to both Nikita and Ms. Lucille. They had never referred to Ms. Lucille as Granny, nor had they ever heard Daniel say it, but it melted both their hearts. Although Ms. Lucille has 2 adult children, she does not have any grandchildren. And Daniel does have his maternal grandmother in his life, but he does not have a paternal grandmother present.

From that point on, Ms. Lucille has been Granny to Daniel. They have special date events where just the two of them hang out, sometimes going to the movies. She attends his grandparent events at school, even reading to the students in his class.

There are many kids whose lives would be fuller if they had their Granny supporting them and many Grannies whose hearts would be filled with greater joy because they have their grandchildren loving them. The intergenerational relationship that exists between grandmother and grandchild is not just good for them, it is light for the world. Grandparents offer a wealth of wisdom and love to grandchildren that differs from a mother-child relationship.

Single parents face stresses that all parents face, but there are stresses that are unique to a single parent, and having a Granny to stand in the gap can be the difference between being able to continue to work or not.