Grandparents Day is September 8, and Cheryl Bistayi shares a “heart story” she has told her grandchildren, offering it to inspire you to tell your own.

CHERYL BISTAYI
Allendale: Valley UMC

Grandparents Day is this Sunday, and here’s a story one “memaw” shared with her grands. You might want to share it with yours. Or better yet, write and tell your own “heart story” with them. For those who celebrate, Happy Grandparents Day!

*****

I want to share my most important heart story.

It is the most important story I know. It is about how I learned about God. I thought maybe it would help you learn about God, too.

You see, when I was a little girl, my mommy got sick. It scared me a lot. She was in the hospital, and no one told me why. I was confused and sad. I didn’t know if anyone else ever felt that way.

Now that I am all grown up, I know that everyone feels that way sometimes, but I didn’t realize that when I was a kid.

Anyway, someone took me to a movie while my mom was gone. They thought it would help me.

I guess it did. That is what this story is about!

You see, the movie was Pinocchio. In Pinocchio, there was a little cricket named Jiminy.

Jiminy was always on Pinocchio’s shoulder. He would talk to Pinocchio and listen to Pinocchio, and he was always there so that Pinocchio would never be alone!

Isn’t that cool?

I remember wishing that I had a Jiminy of my own, especially right then. I was so sad and confused and scared about my mom.

I felt all alone.

I wanted my very own Jiminy so that I wouldn’t be alone.

Did you ever feel that way?

Anyway, right after I wished for a Jiminy, my mind, my heart, or something told me that I did have someone with me all the time.

It wasn’t a cricket or anything, but SOMETHING was always there.

Sitting right there in that movie place, I just knew it was GOD!

I knew that just like Jiminy was with Pinocchio, God was with me.

That means that I am not alone.

It means you are not alone, either.

Isn’t that really cool?

I should say that just because God is always there, it doesn’t mean I never get sad, confused, or lonely.

I still do.

But when I feel that way, I know I am not alone. Maybe I don’t have a cricket on my shoulder, but I do have God with me.

And you have God with you!

I wanted to tell you that in my most important heart story.

So, if you ever feel alone, close your eyes and picture God on your shoulder.

Pretty soon, you will not feel so alone. Honest!

I am a grandma now, and it has worked for me all my life.

It works because God is real and is always right there with you!

Isn’t that cool?

*****

Just an added thought for you grandfolk and grownups.

In later years, when studying to lead a workshop on faith, I read a quote by theologian and author Leslie Weatherhead that took me back to that frightened and confused 7-year-old.

“Faith is imagination grown up.”

How about that? From Jiminy to God.

In a 7-year-old, imagination began the journey. In a 76-year-old, faith continues that journey.

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it!

What’s yours?

Last Updated on September 9, 2024