Today, I washed my windows and found myself happy and sad: happy when I found tiny little fingerprints on the window, but sad because I miss the one who put them there.

A few weeks ago, my daughter, Missy, her husband, John, and my sweet granddaughter, Jenna, came for an unexpected visit. For two days of their visit, we stayed home, relaxed, and watched Jenna be Jenna. It was wonderful seeing how she had grown and become such a little lady. We laughed when she bopped us with her head as a sign of affection; according to Missy, she learned that from their cat. We read her books over and over again, making funny faces and loud noises to see if we could get her to fall over laughing, which she did quite easily.

Whenever the door was open, her little hand went in the air as a sign that she wanted to go outside, and we were more than willing to give her that wish. We all laughed as she ran and explored to her heart's content. She brought us flowers — sometimes dead ones — and leaves, and sticks. She laughed to see the dogs run past her with lightning speed, and she pointed to the cats that also joined the fun. The picture is still in my mind of her running, and those sweet red curls blowing in the breeze.

We watched her every move, to the point that she counted on her fan club to be watching. She would check to see if we were watching, and we were.

As I relived those few days, my thoughts went to my heavenly Father and how He is so anxious to give to His children — to you and me.

Matthew 7:11 – If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (NIV)

How He must enjoy watching us and being our fan club!

I am so thankful for what God gives me, but I need to think of Him more as my loving Father and my best fan. As I receive good gifts, I want to think of His broad smile and adoring eyes. As Jenna looked into the faces of loving parents and grandparents, I need to know that the Lord looks upon me with that same kind of love, but even more so.

To be honest, I left a few of those fingerprints just to remind me of that wonderful time spent with this beautiful family and the fun we had with our sweet Jenna! Children and grandchildren are surely one of those gifts that our Father happily gives us, and He smiles as we enjoy His wonderful blessings.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for being our fan club. Thank You for the love that You shower upon us each and every day. As we receive Your good gifts, help us to remember to thank You for them. Amen.