Ok, total random act (which) is usually not me…I’m sitting in my car at the CVS at Saratoga Pkwy/US 40. A vehicle parks next to me and it appears to be a grandmother and grand-daughter in the vehicle, I overhear their conversation and the grandmother is asking the grand-daughter to go in with her, the grand-daughter replies, no…I look like (paraphrased as the exact word escapes me at the moment)…I look bad. The grandmother gets out and a few seconds later, the grand-daughter gets out and goes in with the grandmother. This action gave me pause and a sense of pride in today’s youth. So when, they returned to their vehicle and I paused for a moment again and the urge to get out of my car and approach them was too overwhelming not to get out of my car. I cautiously approached and ask if I could ask a question. A slight pause and the grandmother is yes, I ask “are you related to one another?” They both responded “yes” grandmother/grand-daughter…I said that this probably seems weird but I am overjoyed at your actions of going in with your grandmother, it showed great respect and honor. I went on to say that a lot of kids grow up not knowing grandparents and that I was blessed to have not only known my grandparents but also my great-grandparents. Then I thanked them and walked away. It was as if I floated back to my car…it’s a ” God” thing and I am overjoyed! Planting seeds in God’s garden is everyone’s responsibility in the family of God! Thanks for reading this long story, May God Bless and Keep You!
~Charlotte

When you were a child, I loved you
And I you are my son, my daughter

The more I supported you and encouraged you, the further you wanted to be away from me, you chased after others while eagerly running away from me.

I was the one who taught you to walk and run, to be all that you could be, I held you in my arms, but you do not come to me even knowing I have healed your bumps and bruises, and that I fed you and encouraged you.

My heart aches within me
My love for you is warm and tender.

Now read Hosea 11:1-4, 8

Hosea 11:1-4, 8

When Israel was a child, I loved him,and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them,the further they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and they burned incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up in my arms, but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with bands of human kindness, with cords of love.  I treated them like those who lift infants to their cheeks; I bent down to them and fed them. How can I give you up, Ephraim?  How can I hand you over, Israel?  How can I make you like Admah?  How can I treat you like Zeboiim?  My heart winces within me;my compassion grows warm and tender.