Grandpa said, “Let me remind you all where we are in the story. Albert is recalling the accident that caused his friend’s injury.”
It was hard for Albert to respond through his tears. “Mom, Alex is the one who should be running around, and I should be the one in the bed. I know that Alex was willing to help me. If he didn’t, I probably wouldn’t even be alive, now.

Albert’s mom looked at him lovingly and said, “I know this is hard for you. No one can fully understand the plan of God, but He is a good God. God doesn’t want anybody to suffer. God doesn’t want anybody to die. But because there is sin in the world, there are some things that happen that are not in God’s perfect plan. For reasons that are sometimes beyond our understanding, God allows things like what happened to your friend.”

Albert asked, “So does that mean that Alex is better than I am, because he was willing to sacrifice for me?”

Albert’s mom answered, “I don’t want you to think that God is not pleased with you. You didn’t have the opportunity to be able to risk your life for your friend like Alex did. At this point, there’s no way for you to know how you would have responded.”

Albert thought on that one for a little bit. As he was thinking, a peace came over him.

Then, Albert said, “Mom, if I ever have the opportunity to risk my life for my friend, I am believing that God will give me the courage to do that. Before the accident occurred, I am sure I would not have had the courage to do what Alex did. But now I think I do. I asked Jesus to remove my trust in myself, and replace it with a trust in Him.”

Albert said, “Mom, I didn’t want to make you cry.”

His mom responded, “It’s OK, Albert. These are tears of joy. I know you might not be able to understand why, but the greatest thing that the Lord can give a parent is the opportunity to see their children putting their trust in Jesus. This is just the beginning of your journey with your life with Jesus, but I am so glad that your dad and I can be here to help you.”

Peter said, “Wow. What an amazing change. Can Jesus really change someone that quickly?”

Grandpa answered, “Sometimes, it is quickly, and other times it seems like it might never happen. God works in people’s hearts in many ways. Do any of you have an experience with seeing how God worked in the heart of someone that you love?”

Charlie responded, “My grandmother was a sweet woman. She did a lot of nice things for a lot of people. She lived with me and my family.

“A short time ago, my grandmother got sick, and we thought she might die soon. Larry, who lives down the street from me, was praying with us for my grandmother.”

George interrupted, “Larry, that was great. Why didn’t you tell anybody about this?”

Larry responded “I thought my friends would think I was weird. My family has been praying about a lot of different things, and we see that God answers those prayers. That’s why I wanted to pray for Charlie’s grandmother, too.”

Charlie said, “My whole family appreciated you being there with us.”

Charlie continued with his story, “Grandmother was confused about thinking that she had to do a lot of good things to be able to go to Heaven, but Larry was able to help her understand that nobody is perfect, and that we need to put our trust in Jesus to take away our sins.

“We prayed for Grandmother for a long time, and we were concerned that she might die before she accepted Jesus. Larry said something to her that seemed to click. She told us that she finally understood that nothing she could do would make her right with God, because Jesus had already done it for her. In the middle of the next night, Grandmother died. We now have hope that we will see her again in Heaven.”

Grandpa said, “Thanks, Charlie. That was an amazing testimony. We appreciate you sharing that with us. We know that was very hard for you. And thanks, Larry, for being available to share the Good News with Charlie’s grandmother.”

Grandpa wrapped up, “I really appreciate all of you sticking with the story. I hope you enjoyed it. We can schedule another time soon on a Saturday afternoon for you to visit me. I hope to have another exciting story to tell.”

All of the kids said in unison, “Thanks, Grandpa.”

——

The next day, Grandpa said, “Hi, Larry. I didn’t expect to see you, today. How are you doing?”

Larry responded, “That was a fantastic story that you shared yesterday, Grandpa.”

Grandpa said, “I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And it seems like your friends responded well when they heard that you and your family believe that God answers prayers. Are you still feeling like your friends will think that you’re weird if you share things with them that are unusual?”

Larry responded, “I don’t know. I think the story about Alex and Albert really helped a lot. We need to be available for each other.”

Grandpa said, “You got it, Larry. I am not sure that all the kids did. Don’t be afraid to help your friends understand things that you have learned. Even though your friends say things that upset you, they do respect your leadership.”

Larry said, “Sometimes, it seems like a heavy load.”

Grandpa said, “When you feel that way, ask Jesus to help you. Remember, Larry, you are not weird. You are unique. We are all unique in God‘s eyes.”

Larry said, “You know, Grandpa, there is something I wanted to ask you when I came over here. Do you have a few more minutes?“

Grandpa said, “Sure, Larry.”

Larry said, “I’ve been thinking some more about Lisa. It seems like God has a special plan for her as well. But I don’t know if she’s ready. I don’t think I’m ready, either.”

Grandpa said, “No one is ever completely ready for what God wants him to do. That’s why we need each other. Larry, God put you and Lisa in the same family for a purpose. I know you love your sister, but you need to be ready to help her, also. I don’t know what that might be, but God will show you what to do.”

Larry said, “Thanks, Grandpa. Once again, you have helped me.”

Grandpa said, “From the first time one of the kids called me ‘Grandpa’, I wondered why. I now believe my plan is to be a grandpa to those who don’t have one.”

Larry said, “I think you’re the best grandpa I could ever imagine.”

Grandpa said, “Thanks, Larry.”