I Got Me A Raise...

I Got Me A Raise

Theology in the Trenches

by Kathleen Kjolhaug

Retirement funds are cramping my style. “Give away grandma” is who I am. I like buying stuff and giving it away. I enjoy color immersion upon entering any store as it’s like inviting one to take something sweet from the cookie jar. So I do…buy something that is. Bagging it up to deliver is only part of the fun. When little eyes greet and meet at the door with expectation, it’s the topping on the cake so to speak.

Taking care of my brood has always meant purchasing a few extras for them from time to time. It’s been an immensely gratifying part of being mom. However, I’ve been able to do this a bit less as grandma...quite a bit less, actually.

I have taken note though, that the little eyes upon me have not a clue whether the bag I’m holding has treasures within that are new or used...nor do they care. Lately, my offerings to them have been something from the farmhouse, items they’ve never seen before. Like frosting on the cake, they swipe their paws at what is within as curiosity peeks.

More oft than not, it’s a storybook, a workbook page, or a brightly colored baking tool from my cupboard. One week it might be an old flour sieve, a rolling pin, cookie cutters, or canning rings lined with lids so they may mix and match or string them up an arm and over an elbow. Like a tin man, the clanging and banging brings much satisfaction to little fingers and onlookers alike.

Round two for these treasures within grandma’s house are now in the home of the grandkids. Thus, not only do I rid myself of a little clutter lying round and about, but as I began digging in my stash rather than my cash, I noticed my fund balance has begun to increase once again.

Yup, grandma got a raise alright. I get to help raise up the next generation by raising their awareness of the past with tools from it.  

 

The foundation for how this all cycles round has roots…deep roots. “For He was raised up on the third day,” and “He will raise us up.” Take your pick from 1 or 2 Corinthians, to Acts, Ephesians, Galatians, Romans, and on to 1 Peter the gift of Him being raised up is made mention twenty-four times within the pages of His Word.

 

Thus, as He has been raised, as He will raise us, so, too, are we given the gift to do so as well. “Raise up a child in the way they shall go and they will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

 

All for His glory, forever and ever…Amen.