Our lawn is usually immaculate and never because of me. Grandpa is a master of lush, dandelion-free lawns. I’m told that’s a good thing. No really, it is a good thing and I enjoy the results of his labor.
But I love dandelions.
They start tucked away and emerge into sunny bursts of potential before transforming into irresistible puffballs that send seeds floating into the future. And what kid can resist snapping up a dandelion puff to send its seeds sailing? I mean, what’s not to love!
Grandmas are in the puffball stage . . . It’s cliche, I know. And it’s not a commentary on our puffy years (though the struggle is real!) It’s a commentary on our purpose. We’ve experienced excitement, change, beauty, celebration, struggle, and pain. And now is our time to embrace our inner-puffball…to send our seeds sailing into the future by passing along the wisdom and joy God’s given us, to the people we love most. It’s our time to embrace an uncertain future without fear by focusing on our purpose, knowing that the future and our families are in God’s hands.
The dandelion logo reminds us that we are called by God to plant seeds of joy & wisdom in the hearts of our families, so we can laugh together without fear of the future.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future .”
Proverbs 31:25
God’s original calling to puffballs
The Israelites were finally free, after generations of brutal captivity…fleeing Egypt in pursuit of the Promised Land. Their journey provided opportunities to witness God’s power and miracles over and over and over again: plagues (Exodus 7-11), parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14), pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13), being fed by manna (Exodus 16), seeing the earth opened and swallow those who showed contempt for the Lord (Numbers 16)…and the list goes on.
How could anyone who saw such things possibly doubt God or neglect to share what they saw?
That’s exactly what the Israelites did. Human memory is short and we are prone to become discontent as soon as our circumstances get uncomfortable. We’re quick to forget the good stuff and how blessed we really are.
As the Israelites struggled with attitudes of discontentment and doubt, Moses gave a command:
- Remember today that your children were not the ones who saw and experienced the discipline of the Lord your God: his majesty, his mighty hand, his outstretched arm; the signs he performed and the things he did….But it was your own eyes that saw all these great things the Lord has done. (Deuteronomy 11:2-7)
- Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today….Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 11:8, 19-20)
Grandmas, we didn’t witness the parting of the Red Sea and haven’t been fed by manna, but God has been faithful.
He is faithful.
Just as the Israelites, we experience the highs of worship and the lows of discontentment. And just like them, we are God’s children. Just like them, we are loved and called to be faithful. We are called to share stories of his faithfulness…the feel-good celebrations and the messy ones we’d rather keep tucked away.
So spread those seeds, Grandmas! Plant them generously in the hearts of your family, nurture them, and then celebrate when you see them grow!
KRISTI and husband Tim were married in 1988 and live in Iowa, where they love doing life with their three sons, three daughters-in-law, six grandkids…and two very spoiled dogs. She is a teacher and instructional coach by day and a “Laughing Grandma” by night, writing to inspire grandmas to laugh without fear of the future as they plant the joy of Jesus in the hearts of their families (Proverbs 31:25). Kristi is the author of The BeforeBooks for children and Your Soul To Keep, a one-year prayer workbook for parents of adults. Connect with Kristi at kristi@thelaughinggrandma.com