I'll Do Anything To Stop The Crying

This is the cry of most parents and grandparents as they hear the cry of a child. I’ve notice there seems to be a competition going on out there in consumer land. It becomes noticeable most often at the grocery store check out. There are interesting situations playing themselves out in that dreaded line up.
I noticed them long ago. All three looked normal, just like everyone else. Nothing out of the ordinary. It didn’t take long to realize that it was mom, daughter, and granddaughter. They had, like most of us, made it around the store picking up this and that. Now, as they stood in line they waited their turn to put their items on the belt and pay the price. This store is like all the others, two rows of items on each side of the line. One side you have magazines, I look at these racks as being similar to the doctor’s office, but these are current issues. This is the adult side. We pick them up and read a few pages and put them back. So nice of the store to stock the library for us so we won’t realize how long we are in line.
Then on the other side of the line are the candy, gum and trinkets. You know, those items that bring lots of profit. Most of these items are geared to teens and children. So, here is granny, reading a few pages, daughter emptying the cart and the granddaughter eyeing the treat rack. Entertainment for the whole family. Well, almost.
I knew it was coming. It happens all the time. The little girl spies something, picks it up and defiantly puts it two inches from mom’s face and says those dreaded words, “Can I have this?” I’m waiting with bated breath for mom’s answer. And it comes fast and furious, “No!” “Now put it back.” You know what happens next, I don’t even have to write it, the girl delicately puts it back, smiles and doesn’t ask for another thing. NOT! The girl, in classic fashion, as if this has happened a thousand times, begins to cry that well known, well rehearsed tearless chorus, “Waaaaaaaaaa Waaaaaaa Waaaaaaaa.”. The mother doesn’t flinch. Just goes about her unloading. The girl keeps going, Waaaaa. Waaaaa Waaaaa. The grandma has had enough as she thinks, “I’ll do anything to stop this noise.” Throwing the magazine on the belt and not seeing what has transpired, she asks the little girl, “What’s the matter?” Granddaughter, between the Waaaas says, “I want that.” Grandma, in her classic fashion, picks it up and throws the item toward the clerk. Case solved and case closed as the child instantly stops screaming, and smiles broadly at her mother.
Only once in all my years watching this play itself out have I heard a mother answer effectively. She said, “Sorry, we don’t have the money for that right now.” As parents, we know, or should I say, should know what is best for our children. We live with them day in and day out. We know what they have, what they don’t have and what they really need. Part of the pleasure of being a grandparent is to spoil them or give them something the parents can’t supply. Bill Cosby, when his father came over and gave each grandchild $20, would grab the money and say, “That’s my money, he never gave me anything when I lived at home.”
There are no grandparents in heaven. Only children. When you are part of the family of God, He knows your every need. And even though He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, He gives to us only what we need. The wonderful part is, we do not have to cry or plead or throw a temper tantrum to get what we want. God desires to give to us richly. It takes us a lifetime to realize that what God wants to give us is not measured by worldly wealth but by a heavenly measure. He wants to give us grace, faith and forgiveness. He gave us His son so we can have all our need met in Him.
To the parents at the check out, have you given your children what they need? Jesus.
Rob