Four Days, Two Grandchildren, and Enough Grace to Get Through It
When the Schedule Arrives Before the Grandchildren Do
It all began with a schedule — a glimpse into the remarkably busy lives of grandchildren Maddie, nearly 12, and William (Wil), nearly 10. Their parents, son Mikos and daughter-in-law Jenny, had business travel commitments in Hawaii, so Maddie and Wil came to stay for four days. A quiet prayer went up immediately — a request for special graces to get through the week — because Mike was also traveling and would not be around to help.
The Morning Routine: Braids, Lunches, and Off to School
Making breakfast for two extra people, packing lunches, braiding Maddie’s hair, and getting everyone out the door became the new morning rhythm. It also happened to be Election Day — and by evening, a new president would be announced. Maddie had play practice, which meant no pickup until 6:30 p.m., leaving the afternoon free.
Wil and the Vanilla Shake Revelation
After school, Wil and his grandmother bonded over vanilla shakes — and fries, for him. What came next was nothing short of astonishing. Without a single reminder, Wil sat down and opened his books. He did not come up for air until every assignment was finished. He never asked for help. And later that evening, when television beckoned, he declined — he had reading to do.
The question had to be asked: Did we pick up the wrong child? Was this actually the same grandchild?
I was also in charge of the mild mannered Rosie, my granddog. She is still in the puppy stages and needs a lot of TLC. She sheds, chews, and digs holes in the backyard, other than that she is a sweetheart.
Grace, Grandchildren, and the Chaos of Ordinary Life
Election Night Becomes a Party
After picking Maddie up from play practice, it was time to plan an impromptu election-night celebration. Two dear friends, Sarah and Dorothy, came over to watch the results unfold. The three had been in contact throughout the day, praying together for a favorable outcome — and by the time they arrived, there was already cause for cautious hope: Trump had taken an early lead. Still, the prayers did not stop.
The evening filled quickly. Each announcement of a new state brought fresh bursts of excitement — screaming, jumping, the kind of joy that doesn’t try to be dignified. Sarah’s husband Jason arrived with two of their daughters, and the family room became wonderfully chaotic: hyper adults, shrieking children, and the electric energy of a night no one would soon forget. By nine o’clock, the party had wound down — baths and homework, as it turns out, win every time, even over history in the making.
On Knees and Convictions
This election brought many to their knees — and sincerely so. The fervor in prayer was not simply about wanting one candidate to win. It was about the weight of what was at stake: the restoration of order, the appointment of Supreme Court justices, and above all, the right to life — issues that admit no compromise for a Christian conscience. These are the non-negotiables.
Honesty requires acknowledging that many Trump supporters kept quiet, put off by the harsh rhetoric, the name-calling, and the tone that sometimes made it hard to stand without embarrassment. But as Election Day drew closer, it became clear that silence was no longer an option. As a Christian, a stand had to be taken. Watching the hatred pour from both sides on social media only deepened the resolve to stay out of that particular fire. The great divide in this country is real — and healing it, not widening it, is the work worth doing.
To those who are unhappy with the outcome: the call is not to operate in hatred or fear, but to accept the result, pray for the man elected, and give him the opportunity to govern. That is not surrender — that is Christian citizenship.
The Car Ride Soundtrack
On the school-morning drive, the grandchildren have one request: their music. It has been some time since regular exposure to secular radio, and the shift is striking — far more risqué than before, with far too much sexual content woven into the lyrics. One song’s theme toggled between hatred and love in the most confusing way possible. The solution was simple: change the words. Loudly. “I love You, my Jesus — I love You.” The kids laughed. That is perfectly fine.
Grandparents and the Weight of Small Things
Grandparents carry many quiet responsibilities: teaching by example, praying without ceasing, and practicing patience — especially with the small things. And few things tested patience quite like the great bottle-flipping craze. The trend reportedly began in 2016 when a high school student landed a water bottle flip during a talent show, the clip went viral, and suddenly every school-aged child in America had a new obsession. Wil was no exception —
Screens, Prayers, and the Grace of Grandparenting
Monitoring Maddie
Maddie has been spending a good deal of time FaceTiming her friends — and as grandparents, the role is simply to monitor and follow the directives her parents have set. The rule is clear: one half hour of screen time, in a common area, in front of the rest of the family.
A Grandmother’s Daily Prayer
Grandchildren must be saturated in prayer — the guard must never come down. This is the daily prayer lifted up for them:
Dear Lord,
Watch over my grandchildren. Let no harm come upon them. Grant them safety, and give them the wisdom to do what is right. Help them in their studies, that they may always do their best. Make them kind and loving, and teach them to treat others with respect.
Dear Lord, keep them from any life-threatening illness, and let no hand be raised against them to cause them harm in any way.
Into Your loving hands, they are entrusted.
Amen.
