Grandpa’s
Favorite
By Sarah Hayden
By Sarah Hayden
My
mom tells this great story about her grandfather. Growing up, my mom knew she
was her grandpa’s favorite grandchild. On family trips, it was she who was
picked to sit in the front seat between her father and grandfather. Her
grandfather always paid special attention to her, letting her sit on his lap at
family gatherings. He even gave her a nickname: “Peanut.”
When my mom was nine months pregnant with me, her grandfather died of a stroke. It brought up many memories of the special relationship she had with him. However, the event also uncovered something about her grandfather that she did not expect! At the memorial service, as my mom talked with and consoled each of her cousins, she recalls something remarkable happening. At some point in the conversation, each would lower their voice a little and lean in to confide a secret.
“I was grandpa’s favorite, you know,” they would say.
At first, my mom was shocked to think she may have been wrong about being her grandpa’s favorite! How could everyone else think the same thing? It didn’t take long to realize the truth, though. Her grandfather had treated all his grandchildren as the “favorite” grandchild. He had built a strong relationship with each of them; getting to know what was deeply meaningful for each one, and he lavishly poured his time and attention into every grandchild.
God is like this. He loves each one of us for who He made us to be. [1] God is lavish in His love for us. [2] He knows each of us better than anyone else and rejoices over us [3], holding nothing back [4]. God does not show favoritism. Or, perhaps we can also say, EACH of us is God’s favorite!
Are you feeling like God doesn’t love you this way? Do you feel like second tier, or do you compare yourself to someone else, who you assume is God’s favorite? Hold onto the truth that God’s love is big enough for us all. Imagine, when we meet each other after this life, we won’t have to treat it like a secret. Each of us will confidently proclaim, “I am God’s favorite, you know!”
GOING DEEPER:
When my mom was nine months pregnant with me, her grandfather died of a stroke. It brought up many memories of the special relationship she had with him. However, the event also uncovered something about her grandfather that she did not expect! At the memorial service, as my mom talked with and consoled each of her cousins, she recalls something remarkable happening. At some point in the conversation, each would lower their voice a little and lean in to confide a secret.
“I was grandpa’s favorite, you know,” they would say.
At first, my mom was shocked to think she may have been wrong about being her grandpa’s favorite! How could everyone else think the same thing? It didn’t take long to realize the truth, though. Her grandfather had treated all his grandchildren as the “favorite” grandchild. He had built a strong relationship with each of them; getting to know what was deeply meaningful for each one, and he lavishly poured his time and attention into every grandchild.
God is like this. He loves each one of us for who He made us to be. [1] God is lavish in His love for us. [2] He knows each of us better than anyone else and rejoices over us [3], holding nothing back [4]. God does not show favoritism. Or, perhaps we can also say, EACH of us is God’s favorite!
Are you feeling like God doesn’t love you this way? Do you feel like second tier, or do you compare yourself to someone else, who you assume is God’s favorite? Hold onto the truth that God’s love is big enough for us all. Imagine, when we meet each other after this life, we won’t have to treat it like a secret. Each of us will confidently proclaim, “I am God’s favorite, you know!”
GOING DEEPER:
1.
Do you feel like
God’s favorite? Why or why not?
2.
What keeps you
from believing the truth of how God thinks of you?
FURTHER
READING:
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Peter 1:17-19
Sarah serves as Guest Care Manager at Oakwood and leads an in-home small group. She loves coffee, the library, and, her husband and two sons, not in that order.
[1] Ephesians 2:10
[2] 1 John 3:1
[3] Psalm 139:13
[4] Zephaniah 3:17
Acts 10:34-43, 1 Peter 1:17-19
Sarah serves as Guest Care Manager at Oakwood and leads an in-home small group. She loves coffee, the library, and, her husband and two sons, not in that order.
[1] Ephesians 2:10
[2] 1 John 3:1
[3] Psalm 139:13
[4] Zephaniah 3:17
