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Quiet Time… NOT!

My house has been a very active, lively place for the past few days. Our daughter, Rachel and 2-year-old grandson, Abe came in from Louisiana on Tuesday, and have been staying with us for a visit before returning home on Sunday. Since they have been here, our other daughter, Katie and 7-year-old grandson, Radley have been coming out daily, our son, Logan has been stopping in, and all their friends have been coming in and out to see them before they leave again. Quiet time? It does not exist in my home this week.

Abe & Logan (aka “Unc”)
Below: Abe & Radley

Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining one iota. Because what the kids don’t realize is that, while Nonney and Paw Paw are exhausted, we are loving every minute of this chaos, noise, and activity that is going on in our home. We have laughed more, talked more, and spent more time at the dinner table in the last few days than we have in the last six months. And at every meal, we make sure we pray, because it is very important to us to teach our grandkids, the same way we taught our kids.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. ~Proverbs 22:6, NLT

Jesus was surrounded by activity during his ministry. He was always on the go. He was always involved in some type of preaching, teaching, or healing. There were always people vying for His attention… and He was always too happy to give it to them, especially the children.

Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” ~Luke 18:16, NLT

I left home for a short while, and came back to Christmas ornament making!
Above right pic, L to R: Radley, Rachel, Abe
Lower left Pic L-R;  Katie,  Rachel

Right now, I’m listening to a tiny little voice talking to his daddy on the phone. It is absolutely precious! “I yuv yoo, Daddy. You my favit boy. I see you to-my-yow (tomorrow). Goo night alligator.” How can that not be precious! Children are definitely not quiet. If they are… please go check on them!

Quiet is, in my opinion, overrated. Sure, we like a little quiet now and then. I especially like the quiet when I am reading. Because if there is noise, I can’t hear what I’m reading (don’t ask). And quiet is also good for hearing that still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. But when it comes to the kids, quiet is definitely NOT a good thing, unless they’re sleeping.

This past week, there have been many activities going on in my home…none of them quiet. We have watched many Thomas the Train videos, Mickey Mouse, Veggie Tales, Disney movies… We have played with trains. We have run through the house hooting and hollering. We have had pillow fights. And the only time we have stopped is when our heads hit the pillow and we literally fall asleep on contact with said pillow.

Abe & Paw paw got quiet…

Friday night we will gather together and celebrate our family Thanksgiving while all the kids are present. That will most assuredly NOT be QUIET. But that’s okay. I am loving every minute of it.

Quite time is nice. But I think I would rather have the chaos.

Shelley Wilburn
 

Shelley Wilburn has been writing since the age of twelve. She loves stories and adventures, and often finds herself getting into mischief with any one of her six grandchildren. She has written several articles and devotionals over the years for various newspapers, women's magazines, and newsletters. She has also co-authored devotionals. Shelley began writing full-time in 2012 after being healed of over 40 years of depression and anxiety. Using her love of writing, and wearing mismatched socks, Shelley has developed a unique ministry of encouraging others using biblical truths and stories from her own personal life. When not writing, you can find Shelley and her husband of over 30 years, D.A. zipping down the road in their newest adventure-maker, a bright orange, Mustang convertible Shelley has laughingly dubbed The Pony.

  • How wonderful for you! All too soon, it will be quiet again and it will be bittersweet. Get lots of pictures!

  • Dora Hiers says:

    How precious! You have to GRAB those treasured moments while you can, don't you? Those little ones grow up so fast. Enjoy the chaos, Shelley!

  • Thanks Barbara & Dora! Yes, you do have to grab those moments whenever you can! Our house has been extremely busy the last few days. And it will end all too soon.

  • Karla Akins says:

    You are so very, very, very blessed to have such a beautiful family that enjoys being together. Absolutely wonderful.

  • Linda says:

    I sooooo agree! Can't wait for the holidays!

  • Jackie says:

    I love my granddaughters, but I'm not as young as I once was.

    It's still fun!

  • Thank you all so much for the comments! We drove the kids back to the airport this morning (Sunday)…and Nonney (that's me) cried as soon as I got back in the car to leave, while Paw Paw kept saying, "Please don't do that, or I'll help you." LOL! We're okay! ;-]

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