“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭15‬-‭16‬ ‭ESV)‬‬

Grandparenting lends itself to a unique set of challenges and rewards, often one and the same. I remembered this when my grandson asked to use my wife’s car for his date to Prom. He has proven himself trustworthy during his teen years, so we agreed with one proviso—he was responsible for detailing the car. That would be a monumental effort had he wanted to drive my old Jeep, but a piece of cake for my wife’s fairly new car. Unfortunately (for me), he ended up just days before Prom competing in his area track meet, regional FFA competition, and regional tennis tournament. Oh, I forgot to mention he had to attend his brother’s wedding shower the same day as Prom on top of everything else. Suffice to say that if the car was to be at her best, Papa (that’s me) would have to do the honors. 

Funny thing is that as I detailed the car, I found items I had completely forgotten. I uncovered a travel map that will come in handy on our next vacation. I found a petrified French fry. I discovered an old black and white photograph wrapped in small brown paper bag that pushed pause on the clean-up detail while my mind wandered and excavated old memories long forgotten. Details are not a nuisance, they are hidden treasures waiting to be explored. Much of what makes life livable are neatly wrapped and oft overlooked details. 

Do you live with purpose and ferret out every delightful morsel each day, or do you stumble over treasures like rocks in the road, longing for an easier path requiring far less effort? “In other words, we have right now, not yesterday or tomorrow. Surrender this moment. Celebrate this day. Create this memory. Love immediately and passionately. Do what lies at hand, and you just may find the dividend is eternal” (Fowlkes, “Ordinary Glory: Finding Grace in the Commonplace”).

The devil’s not in the details—God is.