by Candace Beane
The covers enveloped the tiny frame, with only a few curls peeking out. As the rays of the sun began to shine, they quietly crept into the little girl’s room. By eight o’clock, the rays had reached the very top of her comforter and began to beam with all their might, trying to rouse her. The sun’s rays shined brighter as they met with success—she awoke! She tossed aside the covers, yawned, stretched, and tumbled out of bed. Once out of bed, she popped awake and scampered down the hall to the adjoining apartment. The little girl pushed open the separating door and tiptoed to the kitchen. As she peeked around the buffet, she saw her tall, admirable grandfather. He knew she was there, but he let her think she was sneaky. She continued to inch closer and closer until she felt she was close enough to pounce. Just as she leaped for his leg, he spun around and caught her in a huge hug! She squealed with laughter as he hugged her tightly. He loved her, and she loved him, as much as her young heart could.
She had come in time for breakfast. But she did not come for the nourishment; she wished only to be near her Grandpa. Their bountiful fare was toast with coffee. In preparation, he opened and placed the Clown bread into the toaster, as they waited for the ‘pop’ of the toaster he poured and mixed his coffee, which he would share. The aged toasting appliance had a unique method of operating, causing both pieces to blacken on one side, but the other to toast only slightly. The moment the crisp bread exploded from the appliance, the curly-headed girl dashed to it and stood on her tiptoes to watch her beloved grandfather put the finishing touches on their cuisine. He always allowed her to pick which piece she desired; she examined which of the two was less burned. The aged man placed the two plated pieces on the nearby round table and gave her a choice; she selfishly chose the better of the two.
As time went by, this routine continued with little variation, the grandfather remained unselfish in his giving, and the granddaughter got what she perceived to be the better of the two pieces of toast. One day as they sat and ate, she glanced at the bottom of her toast and realized that the underside of here toast was just as burnt as the top of her grandpa’s piece! At that moment, the child realized this whole time her grandpa had deliberately placed one piece with the burnt side down and buttered it and placed the other with the burnt side up and buttered it. The little girl looked at her still munching grandpa and cherished that he loved her even though he knew she was selfish.
The grandfather loved his granddaughter just as our Savior loves us, despite our shortcomings. “We love Him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)