The Drive to Grandpa’s House
The early morning rain had left the overgrown grass wet. The children’s Daddy tried to keep the kids out of the grass as he piled the four young children into the backseat of his old tan car. They were all going to see his elderly parents that had just started living with his sister, Tina and her family. His oldest daughter, Becky had just turned 9 years old a few weeks before the trip and she was trying to help, while his wife finished adjusting her hair again in the tiny bathroom. Becky the oldest of the four children was in a good mood and smiled knowingly that Grandma would have a homemade cake waiting for them. She hoped because of her recent birthday that the cake would be her favorite cake, chocolate.
Becky was quiet as usual while her dad tried to rush their mother out of the bathroom. Becky had learned not to get involved when the adults were in a bad mood. She knew that unless she could think of something funny to say, that it was best to remain silent. Especially during those times when adults were mad and arguing. She knew if she could get the adults laughing, their laughter would be contagious. The children focused on looking for cows and trying to tempt truck drivers to blow their horn.
PeanutButter Cake
The trip had taken almost an hour and most of the children were delighted that Grandma had one of her famous cakes waiting for them on the small white table. After hugs and good wishes were exchanged with the Grandparents, most of the children raced to the cake. Becky did not like Peanut Butter Cake, and she was able to politely excuse herself. She could see her grandmother’s disappointment for a second. Until her grandmother turned to Becky’s dad and insisted, he take Becky’s place at the little table. The Peanut Butter Cake was her Dad’s favorite cake. She knew she would not be missed. Becky started walking towards her cousin’s room, announcing she hoped to see her cousin Vicki’s latest Betty and Veronica Comic or perhaps a Nancy Drew Book.
Bad Timing
Becky had lost herself in her cousin’s room among the girl friendly books and comics and sensed it was time to rejoin the family. She knew her cousin would take her time eating the prized Peanut Butter Cake. She hoped she would be almost finished with the cake. There was only one new comic to explore and it had seemed as if she had rushed through it. She was feeling a little disappointed the day was not going as she had thought it would. Hanging out with her cousin Vicki always made her feel better and she was missing her. She opened the door and she could hear most of the adults and children were laughing and playing in the living room. She was surprised to see her Grandpa was coming out of his bedroom and her Dad had stepped into the hallway to discuss something. She hoped she could quietly go around them without being noticed.
While Becky had been isolating herself in her cousin Vicki’s room, the Grandfather had pulled out his giant mason jar of pennies. He had just finished putting the last penny in the jar and wanted to show the grandchildren what he had finally accomplished. Little David left the prized Peanut Butter Cake behind and followed Grandfather around as he showed the adults and took it back to his bedroom for safer keeping. David was full of questions and had never seen anything so amazing. He told his Grandfather excitedly that there must be at least a million pennies in that jar! David stopped following his Grandpa like a lost puppy after the jar of pennies was placed securely on the top of the dresser. David raced back into the kitchen hoping his piece of cake was still there.
Vicki and Grandma had made sure it was still there waiting for him. Everyone knew that Grandma’s Peanut Butter Cake was his and his Dad’s favorite Cake. David’s first bite after sitting down was followed by sounds of, “mmm good”, after each additional bite, while Vicki giggled and joined him once. Grandma fussed a little at them, warning them they would choke on the cake if they tried to eat and talk at the same time. Vicki and David were the only two children quietly savoring every bite of the prized cake as the first adult fight of the day broke out in the hallway.
Truth
Becky was almost at the end of the long hallway when she heard her Grandfather tell her Dad that he wanted to give his jar of Pennies to David. Becky’s Dad immediately started arguing that was not going to happen. Becky stopped frozen, not sure how to get around the two adults. She wondered if she should try to get back into Vicki’s bedroom, unnoticed. Her Dad argued that giving the pennies to David would be showing favoritism. Grandfather argued it was his jar of pennies and he could give it to whoever he wanted to give it to and then he said something that shocked Becky. Grandfather said, “He thinks he needs to give the pennies to David, because he needs them.” Now, Becky knew her Grandfather was a retired Pastor and she just somehow knew that what he was saying was the truth. She knew that David did need the jar of pennies for some reason. She wondered why her Daddy did not know what his own Daddy was saying was the truth.
Becky wanted to be quiet and not make her own Daddy even madder. She did not like to get spankings and especially when her Daddy was mad. She wondered why her Grandfather did not explain that God wanted David to have the pennies. She could see the truth and could even feel that it was the right thing to do and that it was not favoritism. She wondered why she knew it was the truth. Becky knew she could stay silent and not get into any trouble, but she somehow knew her little brother would not get the pennies he needed. She knew her Grandfather would give up as usual.
Courage
Becky did know that she was at a cross-road in her life. The next few minutes were very important in her life as well as her family’s life. She could stay silent and regret it for the rest of her life or she could be brave and speak up. Only God knew what could come of such courage. She did not realize that by speaking up in the presence of her Grandfather that he would back her up if needed. She could let the fear of getting in trouble with her father guide her decision or she could look past herself and focus on living a life of truth guided by love.
This time she chose to speak up, “Excuse me. Papa I know the truth. Why did you not tell Daddy that Jesus wants you to give David the Pennies? Daddy don’t worry, because Papa is not showing favoritism. I think Jesus showed me the truth because I was being quiet. Maybe if you ask Jesus, He will help you to see the truth too. “
Becky quickly moved past the adult men and joined the other adults and children in the living room. Becky wished the ground outside was not muddy from the morning rain. Her mom would not let her escape and go outside. She always loved to escape to the woods where she and her cousin Vicki had a play area they had named, “The Fort”.
The children’s Grandfather and Father came into the living room together with the large jar of pennies. David was sitting on the floor inches away from the TV screen with the other children watching a cartoon. The women stopped talking as the Grandfather called out to David. It took him a few seconds to get everyone’s attention. David and the other children were full of smiles as their Grandfather announced he was giving the Jar of Pennies to David.
One More Time
Unfortunately, it did not take long for the second fight to break out. This time it was Aunt Tina, Vicki’s mom and big sister to David’s Dad. She was arguing with her own Dad almost repeating the exact same things that David’s Dad had said. Becky was surprised at first that her Aunt would even care who should get the Grandfather’s pennies. She wondered if her Aunt thought Vicki should get the pennies for some reason. Becky could feel her Dad and Grandfather looking at her. “Great! Well at least I know what to say this time.”, she thought. Becky repeated her words from the first fight and hoped she would not have to break up anymore adult fights. Grandmother and David’s mom quickly sent all the children outside to play on the carport. Their Grandmother gave strong warnings to stay there and not to get into the muddy driveway or yard.
The Plan
The children were stunned at first by the fight, but they had not balked at the opportunity to escape the battle. It was cousin Vicki who first broke through the silence, “So, David why does Jesus want Papa to give you his jar of pennies? What are you going to do with them?” David smiled and explained how he just needed to count all of those pennies. Now that he was in the 2nd Grade he could count really good. He also explained to Vicki and Becky how he was going to stack the pennies into towers with 10 pennies each. Then he was going to equally give each child stacks of pennies and share his pennies. However, he was concerned that his younger sister and brother might put their pennies in their mouths. So Becky, Vicki and David started devising a plan on how to teach the little ones how to count and safely play with their pennies.
When Children Pray
Vicki was worried her Mom would not let Grandpa give David the pennies. Becky and David hugged Vicki and told her not to worry, “Jesus will help her understand.” That’s when Becky got the great idea that they could pray for all of their parents. The three children held hands and prayed, “Jesus, Please help our parents to not worry about pennies, favoritism and other adult problems. Please put big smiles on their faces and a lot of your love and forgiveness in their hearts. Amen.”
The Parents came outside just in time to hear the children’s prayer. There was a lot of hugging going on for awhile. The parents were even happier as David spoke up and explained his plan for all those pennies.
Speak Up in Love
Holy Father of Love, In my heart, this is how I wished it had been. I have always regretted that I did not have the courage to speak up so my little brother could get what he needed that day. My whole family missed out on an opportunity to grow closer together to each other and to You, Jesus. Now that I am older and a little wiser, please help me to speak up appropriately in love. Especially when I know You want me to speak up. When I don’t speak up, I am the looser missing out on an opportunity You have blessed me with. I am disappointed in myself when fear controls me. Fear has often kept me from doing what I knew would have been the loving thing to do. I have carried the pain of regret for many years about Papa’s Jar of Pennies. Whenever I let fear rule my life, then I definitely miss out! Please open my eyes to see Christ in all situations because Your perfect love will cast out the fear. Please give me more trust and courage in Christ Jesus and help me to speak up in love. Amen.
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