Bending down kind of Love

I used to wonder what made little ones love their grandparents so much. They seem to always want to be in their company and never want to go home with their parents. Of course, they love their parents, but this is different. Could it be that grandparents tend to sneak a sweet into their small hand when no one is looking? Or that Grandpa enjoys the Hot Wheels and Matchbox isle at Walmart as much as his grandsons do? Maybe Grandma's inner little girl loves shiny plastic heels and sparkly nail polish and is the first one diving into her granddaughter's bag of goodies brought for the sleepover.

In my family, there are many grandchildren and I have watched this happen over and over. However, if you watch very long the why of it begins to become clear. Grandpa bends down to listen when a grandchild pulls on his pants leg. Or, while sleeping with his eyes open in his recliner, he lifts one of the little ones onto his lap and sings them to sleep. When one calls Grandma's name she leans low to wipe a tear, kiss a cheek or read a story from a favorite book. Maybe, the reason grandchildren are drawn to grandparents is simply love. The bending down to listen kind of love. The "I think you are special kind of love" even when things aren't going quite right.

Don't we all want to be heard, to find solace in knowing someone hears? Psalm 116:2 (NLT) says of the Lord, "because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!"

God has the bending down to listen kind of love for us. He hears each time we call out to Him. John 5:14-15 tells us that we can have confidence that He hears us. Those times when you feel alone and that no one cares, remember God is interested in all you do. He has a special kind of love for you. Take a deep breath and pray. Rest assured, He will bend down to listen.

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