“Third time’s a charm!”
You have, more than likely, heard this phrase uttered at some point when two previous attempts at something have fallen short. I did a little bit of research (5 minutes of Googling) on the origin of the phrase and found out definitively that no one definitively knows where this phrase came from.
You’re welcome.
A few weeks ago, I became Grandpa for the third time. No longer do I have a favorite granddaughter; I have two favorite granddaughters! My grandson, for the moment, has the distinction of being the favorite grandson. We’ll see what happens over the next few years.
Mrs. Sweetie and I spent just over a week in the Texas panhandle taking care of big sister while parents and little sister were first in the hospital and then getting settled in at home.
Let me tell you something, my friends. I got a whole new appreciation for grandparents who are primary caregivers. Just a few days wore me out and made me glad that I was much younger when I was doing that full-time!
But I also discovered that holding a new grandbaby for the first time is just as charming no matter how many times it happens. The first time I held her, I whispered in her ear and told her how much Grandpa loves her and how much Jesus loves her. Those are the two most important messages any of my grandchildren will ever get from me.
Because both our grownup babies live in the same vicinity, we got to spend time with all our kids and grandkids during our time there. Talk about charming!
But while my world was wrapped up in babies, people in other places were wrapped up in just trying to survive through hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, and violence.
Here’s something I don’t know: why things happen the way they do. Anyone who tries to tell you they have it figured out should be approached with a lot of skepticism.
Here’s something I think is not a good use of our time: trying to figure out why things happen the way they do. Is there an explanation for everything? Probably. Is it easy to discover? Hardly. Could our time be better spent on other pursuits? Absolutely!
Here’s something I do know: this is my Father’s world. And while He is ultimately in control, there is a destructive interloper to whom He has temporarily given freedom to wreak havoc in His world. Someday that freedom will end.
Until then, we can find peace beyond comprehension. Philippians 4:7 – “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
That peace comes from a source beyond this world. John 14:27 – “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Here’s something I think is a better use of our time: Trying to listen to God for his guidance on how to respond to what happens, and until we get new guidance, doing the things He has already revealed in His word.
Our lives matter to God. Remembering that is just as charming every time.
