In the vision of love

My grandchildren have also been subject to those eyes in the back of my head. The little ones I've watched over the years include Jazzlee Puckett, Ramsey Ferree, Cody Puckett, Madi Riggs, Dawson Chesterfield and Avery Puckett. Ian Puckett not pictured. (Courtesy photo)

"All right, you kids. You better stop that, I have eyes in the back of my head!" came the distant echo of my mother's voice from somewhere in the house.

Evidently, she could see through the walls. These words still hover somewhere in my memory, and from time to time, I catch myself staring at the back of her head to see if those eyeballs are still there.

As a teen, I looked forward to going to the Canteen on Saturday nights, until I would hear one of my parents say, "You be good because I know everything you do."

Seriously? They could see five miles away, too? How much fun could a teenager have after that death defying thought. The strange thing was they did seem to know exactly every thing I had done or even thought about doing. So, I tried these tools on my own children and grandchildren and found they came in quite handy. And yes, they now stare at the back of my head.

With the passing of time, I realized how much my parents loved me and why they could see through walls and for miles. While raising children it seems our vision is tuned in 24 hours a day to the things they are doing. We do so because we have their best interest at heart. We are their protectors, teachers and our correction brings them wisdom in life. Our hope is for them not to make the same mistakes we may have at that age. They may be grown with children of their own now, yet, in our hearts they are still that little one running around the house making it a home.

This reminds me of our heavenly Father. He loves us and no matter our age or circumstance we will always be His child. In Psalm 32:8

He says, "I will instruct you and teach in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." His eye is always on us, not to scare us but to protect and lead us in the way that will make our life fruitful and blessed. He gives gentle nudges when we get too close to stepping over the line of Grace and draws us back into His arms. Our heavenly Father is generous with His love and offers a way of abundant life for all.

Janie is a staff writer for the Greene County Daily World. She can be reached at thewritedifference@outlook.com.