You are bringing such unbelievable joy to my heart as I observe your lives springing so rapidly from childhood to adulthood. A couple of you (and you know who you are) are landing already, while two or three of you have just begun to spring from childhood.
The rest of you seem to be thoroughly enjoying those “in between” years, as well you should. Always remember PaPa telling you that you are living some of the very best years of your lives, no longer a child but not quiet old enough to be the adult you will, only too soon, become.
Don’t move so rapidly during your leap. Slow down a bit and make double sure that you don’t miss anything you will need when you begin to make your landing onto that strange world called “adulthood”.
You older kids are beginning to diligently pursue the path of finding God’s will for your lives. The joy flooding my heart as I watch you and get opportunities to give input into your lives is completely indescribable.
Your Grandma Snow poured her life into the lives of each one of you. Helping and supporting your parents as they were giving you instructions from the Word of God on how to live your lives in a way that will be pleasing to our Heavenly Father. She loved each one of you with all the love a Grandma can possibly have. She always encouraged each of you to “obey your Mom and Dad in ALL things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.”
As we all know Grandma is now in the presence of Our Lord, but a part of her life lives on in each of you. She not only encouraged you in obedience and respect for Mom and Dad, but also in all things to be pleasing to Our Heavenly Father. Remember the example and testimony she lived before us all.
I know most of you have “the other” Grandma and Grandpa, but I’m the only Snow grandparent for you now. I have to be very careful to continue giving you firm instructions from the truths in the Word. Now, I have to be very careful to sprinkle in the love and compassion of your Grandma Snow. I will give it my best try.
I’m writing this rather lengthy letter to all of you partly because it’s a little quicker than writing 10 letters and partly because most of what I’m writing can be applied to the whole bunch of you. So bear with me a little longer and I’ll try to wrap it up in a bit.
You older boys who are beginning to seriously seek God’s direction for your lives. Allow me to give you some truths from the Word which your parents have probably given you already.
Truth number one: Do not run AHEAD of the Lord. By that I mean that God has had a plan for every moment of your life since before you were even born. He loves you and wants to be included in your life each moment of every day. You have the presence of His Holy Spirit in your life prompting you to please him in your actions, words and thoughts. He will not guide you to do anything contrary to the truths of His Holy Word.
You may be wanting and or planning to go to a particular school or apply for a particular job. That could very well be in His Master Plan for your life but NOT NOW. Sometimes He wants us to “wait” for His timing for that direction. You see, it must be His Timing for that particular plan of yours to be in the PERFECT center of His will.
There have been many times in PaPa’s life that his plan was what God eventually brought about but only after a period of waiting on the perfect timing of the Lord. During the wait I could always see some things God had me to do or people He had for me to witness to who were lost and needed to know about my Savior. Had I not been there that person may have never heard the gospel.
Truth Number Two: Prayer is at the heart of discernment. It is a MUST that you be talking with The Lord all along the way. He loves for you to live with a constant attitude of prayer giving thanks to Him in all things He allows in your life moment by moment. As you pray He wants you to completely TRUST Him for everything that is involved in your life. Trust and thanksgiving are the most important part of drawing closer in your walk with Him.
Along about now you’re thinking, “PaPa all these things are for you adults.” Well guess what, used to, you couldn’t even spell adult, now you are one. So start acting like one. “When I was a child, I thought like a child, I talked like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things.” 1Corinthians 13:11
I love each of you equally with all the love and compassion of a Grandpa. I have no favorites but as I deal with you or visit with you individually I can truthfully say that You Are ONE of My Favorite Grandkids. No, my only grand-daughter is not my favorite Grandkid but she is my most Favorite Grand-Daughter.
Moms and Dads of my 10 Grand Children, I thank you for every opportunity you give me to be with your precious children. I do not take the privilege lightly. I will always support you in your decisions for them as long as it does not violate the Truths of God’s Word and I don’t see that happening in my lifetime.
To God Be the Glory,
PaPa