One Slobbering Kiss

“When you experience my glory, it will be evident to others as well. They will know you have been in my presence.” – Os Hillman

“Papa’s here!” Dylan hollered excitedly as he peeked through the window. That quickly, he ran to the front door and unlocked it. No sooner did I open the door, but Dylan was hugging me tightly as I swept him up in my arms. Meanwhile, Bella was grinning from ear to ear, waving at me while waiting her turn to be picked up and hugged.

This scene, which is duplicated every time I stop by their house, explains why I love being a grandfather so much. I receive a similar welcome when I show up at Brady, Sadie, Levi, and Charlotte’s house. There is absolutely nothing in the world that compares to the unconditional love offered by a grandchild.

I may be having a rough day, but one big hug or one slobbering kiss from a precious grandchild is all it takes to cheer me up. Simply put, there is something magically therapeutic – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually – about the love of a child. They can turn a frown into a smile in a split second.

Moses demonstrated a change in his countenance, not from a grandchild’s hug, but from an encounter with God. In Exodus 34, the story is told about how Moses’ face shone so brightly every time he met with God that he had to wear a veil afterwards so as not to scare off the rest of the people.

My friend, if you have spent time with God, it should be evident in your daily life.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13 (NKJV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President