The Missed Tea Party

A year ago we were excitedly preparing for our kids to come home from Indonesia. As it turned out, they ended up even coming about a day earlier than we had first expected! This, of course, was no problem - it only explains why we had other pre-booked plans for that evening.
We picked them up at the airport about mid-day and when we got them home they decided to go for a much needed nap. Well, all except for Tehya. She got right into the mood of being at Grammy’s and she wanted to celebrate with a tea party!
Sadly I had to run some errands for our staff party that was planned for that evening, but she was prepared to just get ready for this tea party for auntie Kristal, auntie Kari, her mom, Grammy and herself. (She had no idea how far auntie Kristal lives…but she had all the ladies in the family.)
I didn't like going but I left her to play in the family room. When I got back about an hour later I couldn’t believe the sweet sight! The coffee table was set with kids china from the downstairs playhouse. The 5 little plates had bananas and cut up apples on them and there was a carton of milk standing on the table, with milk in the tea cups, as well as on the coffee table. =) Everything was ready and my princess had fallen asleep on the couch, waiting.

Now maybe this would not have been so extra-ordinary if she’d been familiar with our kitchen etc. but this was not the case. She found the milk (which is bought in powdered form in Indonesia) and she found a knife to cut the apples. Thankfully it was only a butter knife. I couldn’t believe how serious she had been about this party…and we had all missed it. Makes me want to cry to think of what must have been going on in this 5 year-old little mind.

People have wondered how I can manage with having our grandkids so far away. Three of them now in Indonesia where their parents are serving with MAF and 2 of them in Las Vegas where their dad is a worship pastor. (yes, Vegas has churches, too) There was a time when I thought that I wouldn’t be able to take it, but over time the Lord has comforted me with a very special verse. It’s found in Psalm 84:11
“The Lord gives grace and glory. NO good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”
Walking uprightly here to me means being obedient. This little story is just one of many that has shown me God’s grace for what He’s called us for, that of being parents to kids whom He’s called to minister in other places. From the moment our grandkids walk off the plane to when they leave, we have such wonderful, meaningful times, that sometimes I wonder if we have more than others! I truly feel blessed and can say the His grace is enough. It doesn’t mean that we don’t miss them, but I know that God still cares about our relationships and takes care of that too, with many special surprises.