Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I’m not sure where to begin. This past week Vicki and I had to walk a path that we hadn’t been on in some time. By that I mean it was a just like times we have spent in the past, but it was different. Yet it was a time that Vicki stepped up and did what needed to be done and I helped wherever I could.
Charity had to be gone for several days to a meeting and Bryan was taking care of things with his mother and her husband. So they needed someone to take care of Piper for a week. Okay, so it was really just 4 days and three nights, but to this old body it felt like a week!
Piper is so full of energy. She will be three in February and plays like she is already 5. She runs from one room to the other. Then she stops and runs in circles until she stops and says – “I’m dizzy!” She plays with about any toy she can get her hands on.
She would play with the kitchen set. Then she would bring me a plate with a slice of cheese on it to eat. Of course the cheese was a hard plastic that I had to ‘pretend’ to eat. Then I would thank her for sharing it with me and off she would go again.
She loved to help me let the dog out. Allie would stand at the gate until Piper would open the door and I let her out. She would say bye to Allie then shut the door. A little later she would open the door and Allie would come in. She would ask Allie if she did okay outside in the cold. Then she would close the door and lock it.
I could tell you a dozen more stories about what Piper did while she was at Papa and Memaw’s but what I want you to know about her is her heart. She has such a loving, caring heart. When she is playing with dolls she just holds them close and cares for them. She has such a good heart.
Bryan and Charity are doing what they can to raise her to not only care what she gets but to care for others. They want her to think about others and let them know that she cares for them. I realize that she is still a young child but she is already learning the things that will carry her through life.
Proverbs 22:6 says – “Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Piper is learning about God and His love from her parents. They are doing what they can to let her know about God and His great love for her.
Piper is like every child – a gift from the Lord. Psalm 127:3 says – “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward.” Sure sometimes all her crazy running and playing can make you wonder what is coming next. But then she gives you a hug, tells you that she loves you and all is well.
Piper is now back home with her Daddy and Mommy. She is still running, playing and probably bouncing off the walls. But what she did while here won’t be forgotten. She will remember her time with us. It might not be at the front of her mind but hopefully she will remember the love that was around her.
My prayer for Piper, all my grandchildren and all the children of this world is that they will know they are loved by their Heavenly Father. God forms each child in the womb has His hand upon them. He wants them to not only know Him but follow Him as they walk this path we call life.
Piper, thanks for coming to Papa and Memaw’s and sharing your love with us. We love you!
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
Brother Paul Nachtigall is the preacher at Highland Baptist Church. He can be reached at bropaul@centramedia.net.
