Today I welcome award winning writer Julie Lavender. After you read about her treasured moments that offer spiritual insights, please respond with a comment, and be entered into a drawing to receive her latest book.
Sometimes the simplest activity turns into the most precious memory
Several months before my grandson Benaiah turned two, I had the treat of entertaining him while the family played disc golf. When he tired of the toddler-sized balls I brought along to the park, as well as the clunky, plastic trucks and cars I lugged around, I resorted to a favorite toy my boys enjoyed at that age.
This ancient entertainer has been around since the beginning of time. It costs nothing yet has brought priceless memories to families for hundreds of years. Solid. Sturdy. Unbreakable. Needs no batteries. Dependable. Found everywhere. “What is it?” you ask.
ROCKS.
I enticed Benaiah to take a short walk to a small gurgling stream. We sat with our feet nearly touching the mud at the water’s edge. I handed him a rock, and I held one in my hand, too. I tossed my rock into the water and said, “Splash.”
With pure delight, Benaiah mimicked Grandmommy, and tossed his rock into the water, too. He watched, mesmerized by the leaping droplets of water and the ripples radiating from the rock’s entry point. He held his chubby toddler hand out for another gift. I placed a rock in his hand, and he chunked that one into the water, too.
The little one, typically in constant motion didn’t move from his spot for twenty minutes. Fortunately, there were plenty of rocks and pebbles within my reach. I handed them over, one by one.
Six months later, whenever we’re together, Benaiah and I find an opportunity to toss rocks into a puddle, a small stream, or pond. With my hand firmly clasping his, he’s even experienced the excitement of throwing a rock with his free hand, from a bridge.
Child psychologists say memories aren’t retained at that age. But, I have pictures to show and stories to tell him. With frequent reminders and repeated rock adventures, I know memories created with the simplicity of rocks and water will be retained.
Just like knowing his grandmommy’s love is forever:. Solid. Sturdy. Unbreakable. Dependable, even ,more, I want him to know that God’s love is forever. Solid. Sturdy. Unbreakable. Dependable. Everywhere. It’s love as rock solid as scripture tells us and as he grows, I want to tell my sweet Benaniah:
And they remembered that God was their rock, and the Most High God their Redeemer. Psalm 78:35
For who is God, besides the Lord? And who is a rock, besides our God? 2 Samuel 22:32
There is no one holy like the Lord, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2
Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. Isaiah 26:4
But the Lord has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge. Psalm 94:22
He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold: I shall not be greatly shaken. Psalm 62:2
What about you? Do you have a favorite unexpected treasure with a grandchild that turned into a precious memory? Is there a special scripture you want your grandchild to know? What are your thoughts about a grandmother’s legacy?
Comment to be entered into a random drawing to receive a copy of Julie’s book, 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell in 2021.
Julie Lavender loves making memories with her now-adult children and her precious grandson, Benaiah. She’s written a book to encourage parents and grandparents to turn each day into a memory making opportunity. Her book, 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories, published by Revell, was released in October 2021. Julie is married to her high school and college sweetheart, David, and the two live in south-Georgia. You can read more at https://julielavenderwrites.com/
Loved reading about memories with your grandchild. My sweetest childhood memories are of times with my grandma. I continue this with my grandchildren. Greatest blessings are made here.❤️
Isn’t that so precious, that memories continue to move from generation to generation? I love the memories that I have of my grandmother’s home “in town” and then even more memories when she moved “to the country” near us. Greatest blessings to treasure for a very long time! Thanks for the comment!
What a precious story. JULIE. As I wrap up a cross country visit to see my grandchildren, I am mindful for the wake I leave behind. Good morning hugs. Meeting their school bus. Eading stories. Cooking homemade pizza for dinner. And puting my arms around them with a quiet blessing as They head off for school. Being a long distance grandma is a challenge, especially as alk three of my grandsons are adopted and have a big tank to fill with love and security.
Just reading your words brought tears to my eyes!! Those precious “little” moments that fill huge places in our heart!!! Those are the big memories we’ll remember forever!!! The last time I visited, each time I picked up Benaiah from daycare, he said, “slide?” because he knew Grandmommy was going to take him to the park to play! (And then he ratted me out because his next word was “cookie”!!!!) How wonderful that you are helping fill those tanks! Thanks for the comment!!
Julie, I love this precious story. What a beautiful connection you made between a toy (rock) and truths about God to share with grandchildren. I like to share with my grandchildren the beauty of trees and tell them He’s stronger than the tree and protects us. Recently on a vacation with grandchildren, we thanked God for the beautiful place He gave us to enjoy.
That’s awesome, Jeannie, and I am quite certain those lessons you are stamping on those precious hearts about the beauty of God’s creations and how they relate to His character will last long into their adulthood! God’s creations are so beautiful to me, and I love how they point back to Him. I love “stronger than the tree and protects us.” I’ll make sure I use that lesson with Benaiah, too!!!
Julie, what a great story! And I especially appreciate how you tied this fun rock activity with your grandson into God’s word. I’m a grandmother of eight. I grab those teachable moments with all my grandchildren–passing along memories, teaching a moral lesson, and sharing God’s truths. Our family Bible verse we had when our children were younger is Psalm 18:2. Now I am passing that verse along to my grandchildren.
Eight precious grandkids? How wonderful! I hope little Benaiah has lots of cousins, one day, to share love and fun time with! “In whom I take refuge….” means so much to me, in good times and in challenging ones, too! Thanks for the encouragement to grab teachable moments whenever I can with my grands! Thanks for the comment.
You just cost my heart to go into meltdown mode this morning. What a wonderful blessing.
Aw, thank you so much, J.D.! That’s such a sweet comment! My precious little grandbaby absolutely loves rocks! And water! And he loves mooing at cows!! He’d have so much fun on your ranch!! Thanks for your kind comment and for your faithfulness to read my words! You’re such an encourager to me, and I really appreciate you!
As a grandmother to a toddler and infant, I’m just building those precious memories. Loved your story and the connection to the reality of God as our rock. Your sweet boy will remember these precious times.
I love the visual image of God as our rock! As you know, it’s flat here in south Georgia, but, in some of our hikes in north Georgia, we’ve seen some enormous boulders, and that’s the visual image I get of God as my rock and my fortress! I can’t wait to continue adding a wealth of memories to our heart-buckets as Benaiah grows, and we hopefully add other little ones to the mix, too!!
Loved this Julie! I am often scrambling for those simple things to entertain grandchildren. Thanks for the reminder!
I love the visual image of God as our rock! As you know, it’s flat here in south Georgia, but, in some of our hikes in north Georgia, we’ve seen some enormous boulders, and that’s the visual image I get of God as my rock and my fortress! I can’t wait to continue adding a wealth of memories to our heart-buckets as Benaiah grows, and we hopefully add other little ones to the mix, too!!
Oh, dear, Sylvia! I’m showing my non-tech-skills! I hit the button twice, I guess, and the same comment posted here, too! Sorry! Sometimes, those simple things leave the greatest impression! One of Benaiah’s other “simple” toys is an empty paper towel tube! He loves to make noises with it, like a trumpet, bat around toys on the floor with it, use it like a drumstick to play on vents and other objects, and let his cars race downhill through the tube! We’ve spent so much fun playing with those tubes at each one of his visits!
What a heartfelt story that reminds us God is our rock and His Love is forever.
Dawn – two promises that keep me going every day!!! God is our rock and His love lasts forever!!! Thank you, God! Thanks for the comment, Dawn!! Blessings
What a delightful story, Julie! Thank you for sharing it with us. We have four local grands, and two in OH. I pray that our times will be memorable, and like you, I pray even harder that they will be drawn to the Lord. Blessings!!
Six grands! I look forward to more grands, one day, but I sure am enjoying this precious one now! Because we live five-plus hours from Benaiah, I always want each time we’re together to be a memorable one, too! And, I like it even better when it involves something as simple as “rocks” and “water” to make those memories!! But I’m like you – what’s most important is instilling a love for the Heavenly Father in the heart of each of my little ones! Blessings and thanks for commenting!
I love the idea of playing with rocks as a simple way to make cherished memories. Thanks for sharing!
Joanna, we love it so much, that we keep a ziploc bag of rocks in my van, for our next trip to see our sweet boy!! Even if he is too young to remember these rock activities, it’s certainly a treasured memory for my hubby and me!!! Thanks for the comment!!
Those memories are so precious and I am so thankful to have the time with my granddaughter. They are all something I will treasure. She won’t remember this one, but I got to bring her home from the hospital after she was born. Mom had some difficulties that required staying hospitalized so my son and I brought the baby home. It was bittersweet for the mom but I am thankful I was able to be there to help. I will never forget that first time I held her.
Wow, Barbara, what a special memory you have! And, if you’re like me, you’ll probably retell that story so many times to your granddaughter, that she will THINK she actually remembers it!!! hahaha! Every now and then, our youngest will “remember” something from our time in California, only to realize she wasn’t even two when we moved from there to Washington State, and she’ll just “remember” it through my storytelling! But MY memories are etched in a special place in HER memories of those times, and she can almost visualize them, just like she was there! And she holds those times dearly in her heart! Thanks for the sweet comment. What a blessing you were to that new little family!
Julie, I enjoyed your story. I was right there with you. And scripture that talks about Jesus as our rock gives me stability in an unstable time.
Debbie, I’ve loved the “rock” verses for a very long time, but because of what we’ve gone through in the past year, it makes me lean into those passages even more! Thanks for the comment, my friend! Many blessings!
Debbie, I’ve loved the “rock” verses for a very long time, but because of what we’ve gone through in the past year, it makes me lean into those passages even more! Thanks for the comment, my friend! Many blessings!
I’ve been giving a lot of thought to the legacy I’m leaving my grandkids lately. My youngest just turned five and I’m struck by how quickly the years have trickled by. Doubling down on opportunities to demonstrate God’s love and care for us to all of them.
I already have Julie’s book and love it! Thus, withdraw my name from the giveaway so someone who doesn’t have it can enjoy it!
Candyce, I think the recent events of covid have given me pause for thought about that very thing, too! Though it seems like some days are long and hard, the years just fly by! Thanks for the reminder to be intentional with Benaiah, and whatever other grandkids God blesses me with, to tell him/them about God’s love and care on every occasion that I have the opportunity!!! Blessings!
What a special time with your precious grandson! I loved how you seized the moment with an entertaining activity that also has so much deep insight about God! Benaiah is blessed to have such a loving, creative Grandmommy!
Kathy, thank you for your kind words! We feel blessed by God with the gift of our sweet Benaiah! And, I love that God teaches me to seize those moments, through our love for Benaiah, and I hope I’m learning that lesson with life in general. With friends, extended family members, my adult children! Time spent together needs to be priority for me, because I can’t get back some of those opportunities, if I miss them the first time! Thanks for commenting! Blessings!
I have so many memories of my grandchildren as children for which I am so grateful. Most are grown up now. I have beautiful pictures of them sitting in my lap reading. I talked several of them to embroider or do plastic canvas. One still does. All this while I am disabled.
Carole, what precious memories you have of those grandchildren!! And, I’m sure they still remember and fondly recall those moments, too! Your comment is a reminder to me to take part in and treasure those little moments and big ones, too, with my grand (and hopefully grands, in the future), because I want both generations to have those sweet memories to think of in years to come! Thanks for the comment! Blessings!