A Blessing from Grandpa Gary...to his Grandchildren
So many memories, so many smiles, wonderful laughter and abundant joy…all that and more you have given to this grandpa’s heart. God knows you have taught me so much about unconditional love, trust and hope with your words and deeds.
I love you…simply love you.
Because I am totally committed to your well-being, there is a part of me that wants to protect you from all the bad stuff that lies ahead for you…all the mean and ugly…all the unfair and selfish…all the evil forces that want to steal your innocence and goodness. But I can’t…and even if I could, I would choose to let you experience life…the good, the bad and the ugly. That dear grandchildren is how we all learn.
My prayer for you is that you choose to dance with life, Don’t be an observer… participate…lead…dive in and learn how to make self-enhancing choices. Learn quickly. Learn how dramatically your choices affect others, especially those you love... and those who love you.
My prayer for you is that you choose to dance with life, Don’t be an observer… participate…lead…dive in and learn how to make self-enhancing choices. Learn quickly. Learn how dramatically your choices affect others, especially those you love... and those who love you.
The timid and the weak must not be your role models. Be strong. Reach. Give life your best shot. Sure you will fail some. Of course you will make lots of mistakes. Forgive yourself and others and continue onward and upward.
All this leads me to a borrowed blessing…a blessed assurance from Holy Scripture. Justin, Halie, Grace and Aislynne, dearest grandchildren…embrace the following words.
Believe them. May they be a light unto your pathway...
"With God on our side, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending His own Son, is there anything else He wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us?
And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us?
There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture. . . .None of these phases us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:31-39 – The Message Translation
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-Written by Gary F. Hartman, Ed.D for his grandchildren, Justin, Halie,Grace and Aislynne..I love you...simply love you.
And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us?
There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture. . . .None of these phases us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.” Romans 8:31-39 – The Message Translation
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-Written by Gary F. Hartman, Ed.D for his grandchildren, Justin, Halie,Grace and Aislynne..I love you...simply love you.
