Fern Teaches Grandpa: Lesson 1 – Take a Nap

Some opportunities are too good to pass up, like babysitting the Granddaughter for a couple of hours. I’m glad Grama (Shawn’s chosen name) was with me as her grand-mothering skills are honed and ready. Fern loves Grama, and Grama knows just what Fern needs next. I’m not as current in that arena and still think the pound rating for disposable diapers refers to the payload capacity rather than the size of the baby. But I do when it is time to take a nap.

Fern gave us the usual visual examination as her bright blue eyes moved from Grandpa to Grama and back. She listened politely as I read two classics aloud, Scuffy the Tugboat and The King, The Mice, and The Cheese. Something magical happens when I read from the books once belonging to Fern’s Mom, and I am certain that story time will be a popular activity.

But the child had the fidgets and squirms. She could not find a comfortable spot. After a few nod-offs and several false starts toward a nap, Grama caught a whiff of the possible cause of Fern’s discomfort, and we were off to the nursery for a fresh diaper.

Grama works the changing table like a member of a NASCAR pit crew. The little one was jacked up with four new tires installed in seconds. A wipe of the windshield, a kiss on the grill and Fern roared back into the race…well at least into Grandpa’s arms.

I swear I did not pinch her, but the child activated the level ten “I’m not happy!” alarm. I called for reinforcements, but Grama was busy washing her hands and voiced confidence that I could handle the emergency. “Just pat her back!” Oliver, the senior guard dog on site, arrived in the nursery to assure himself nothing was amiss.

I patted Fern’s back as instructed. In seconds the wailing ceased, and I began to relax. Ten seconds later the shriek returned accompanied by a chorus of sounds I’ve only heard after eating onions, boiled eggs, and greasy pizza. The baby was, to put it delicately, exploding! I held her tightly out of fear she would jet around the room if I released my grip. The fiery exhaust of her internal combustion engine inflated the diaper and escaped to throttle Grandpa’s breathing. As soon as the engine ceased its revving Fern returned to her calm and pleasant self. A barely-audible sigh of relief escaped her lips.

What a lady! Refusing to soil a used diaper and waiting patiently for a fresh one before delivering the full load. Back to the pit for a few adjustments! Grama invested some precious moments with her favorite grandchild then passed me the baby wrapped in a little blanket. I walked the floor while rocking Fern and watched her tiny eyes droop. She lapsed into a deep sleep, and for the next hour I held the little angel and marveled how God could make such a beautiful face. The moment took me back a few years to the days when I used to cuddle her Mom or her Auntie M in the same way with the same amazement filling my heart.

This morning, as Shawn and I read Psalm 23 and the part about the sheep not being afraid in the shadow-filled valley, I thought of Fern resting in Grandpa’s arms. Another verse popped into my mind:

Be still, and know that I am God…
Psalm 46:10 KJV

Fern dumped her burdens, found a comfortable place, and drifted to a much-needed nap. She trusted that Grandpa would stay awake and deal with any business that arose. And then it hit me. I’m busy squirming and fidgeting with no chance of peace as I bat problems and issues around in my mind. Uncertainty and worry flavor my thoughts, and perhaps I’ve forgotten there is Someone waiting for me to calm down and enjoy a rest.

Why not join me in taking a play from my granddaughter’s book?

Dump the burdens.

God cares. He’s never shocked when we tell Him our most-pressing issues. Claim these words:

Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Psalm 62:8 NASB

casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 NASB

Fill your mind with God’s promises then snuggle up and take a nap.

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Rest in the assurance that Someone else is awake, and He’s watching over you.

He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psalm 121:3-4 NASB

Horatio G. Spafford composed the lyrics to a favorite hymn with P. P. Bliss adding the tune now familiar to many of us. Can you recall the words to It Is Well with My Soul? The songwriter testified, “Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.”

I think Fern is on to something good. That is one smart baby!