During the pandemic, we tried to find some creative ways not only to keep in touch with each other, but also we tried to find some innovative ways to keep the grandkids occupied so that their parents could make important phone calls and get a little bit of work done.
We would FaceTime with the little ones, and spent time coloring, ‘played with slime’, paint different things together, sing songs, and entertained each other.
One day I got a call from the six-year-old. I was informed that it was time to teach her how to draw a present. We all grabbed a piece of paper, and I talked her through, step by step, how to draw a box with a bow on top, and we all colored our wrapping paper. I asked her what she wanted to draw next, and she informed me it was her turn to teach me how to draw a kitty and then a puppy. I was very impressed as she walked me through each circle, triangle, and rainbow shaped curved line, and where exactly where to place each one. We lost her little sister the moment that the six-year-old announced she was teaching all of us to make a puppy. The six year old was so proud of herself, that I was able to follow her step-by-step and that we both ended up with a picture of a puppy.
This process was not only adorable, but it made me think about how we need to get down to basics. When we drew the gift, the cat, or the dog, we talked about using circles, triangles, rainbows, and the occasional diamond. In the same way, Paul wrote a letter to the church in Thessalonica, and in the fifth chapter Paul gives us some simple steps as to how we should live our lives. Look for the best in people, find joy in everything you do, talk to the Lord all the time, no matter what be thankful, test everything, but most of all, hold on to good things. These simple little things will not only bring us happiness, but they will help us become closer to our Father in heaven.
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22
