Yesterday I had the entire afternoon with my fourteen year old granddaughter.  I know the day will soon approach, when being with Grandma is no longer cool, so I will relish these moments before she moves onto that chapter in life.

Our afternoon began with lunch at McDonalds – not my first choice, but it was hers and today it was about her so I gorged myself with a quarter pounder and wondered what tricks it would play with my digestive system.  She had no qualms about her fish sandwich.  Oh to be young again and not have to worry about such things.  We talked about which movie to see  and after much back and forth – “Grandma,  let’s see this one” and Grandma responding, “I don’t know.  What’s the rating?” – we finally decided on the one she wanted to see in the first place.  I don’t recall the title, but it did have a few good lessons in it, which I immediately  pointed out.

I remember when my own teenagers started watch “PG13” movies some 35 years ago and the only reason for that rating was the language.  I knew then that it was the beginning of the end for my children. They thought I was a prude and way too old fashioned, but that experience showed me how things can start out simply, but blossom into all out trouble – but they survived and so did I.  I still believe that the dark side of life is slow and subtle in making its way into our culture.  It doesn’t happen overnight.

Being a parent today is so much harder, because kids are exposed to so much before they even become teenagers.  Much of it comes from the 5 o’clock news in my city.  They’re hearing about sex offenders, child molesters and all other sorts of deviant crimes.  The television shows are loaded with immorality and our kids have become numbed to any consequences for bad behavior.

I began to think, as we walked out of the theater, how times change, but if your children are grounded in the truth of God (the One who never changes) you have a much better chance of surviving this season in life.

We joked, laughed and hugged to say goodbye.  The afternoon was over.  Two girls, separated only by sixty years, enjoying each others’ company. Time has taken its toll on this old woman, but I still feel like a kid when I’m with this special girl.  I hope she never gets tired of girly days with Grandma.  I know I won’t.