[Verse 2] by Bill Withers
Grandma’s hands soothe the local unwed mother
Grandma’s hands used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma’s hands used to lift her face and tell her
She’d say, “Baby, Grandma understands
That you really loved that man
Put yourself in Jesus’ hands”
Grandma’s Hands
I remember all of the morning breakfast chats with Big Mama over tea and toast. She
had a way of giving you life lessons without putting the fear of God in you. It was a long
time before I knew that she would be just coming in from work. She would be in the
kitchen looking like she had just gotten up. But before she would go to bed, she had to
make sure her grandchildren were fed. As I grew older, I could see the fatigue setting in.
Those early morning conversation kept me on the right path until I wasn’t. She would tell
me stories about what happed to her friend’s granddaughters with the intent to teach me
a lesson. I was told not to go across North Street because there was nothing over there
for me. You know that’s where all the “bad kids” lived. The trouble makers.
It wasn’t until I crossed North Street, out of disobedience, that she had to soothe my
broken spirit with the voice of correction. I had been so misinformed by my girlfriends. I
did not know what was happening until it was too late. She understood peer pressure.
She knew that when I fell into her loving arms, I needed my grandmother’s love and
affection. She then proceeded to tell me the truth of the matter. I had been taken
advantage of, but it was not the end of the world. Decisions had to be made and they
were.
The fact of the matter was I knew I could go to my grandmother to be heard, understood
and informed. Are our grandchildren in jeopardy of getting misinformation? Learning
about what was called the birds and the bees. I get it now why it was called it the birds
and the bees. The bee goes from one flower to the next getting what it needs. Are we
as grandmothers doing our jobs? Are we reinforcing what their parents are telling them?
If they are having that conversation at all. At the tender ages that adolescence sets in,
the world has already transmitted so much information that our children are not able to
digest. They just are not ready. Even though they think they are.
We have to challenge our grandchildren with truth and honesty. Don’t allow them to
believe that you never made a mistake. Our mistakes are the testimonies they need to
know about. Those very instances when you did not may the right decision could be the
very one to prevent a grandchild from making the same. We were young and there is
nothing new under the sun. Not even the close they wear. We have seen fashion come
and go. We do not have the luxury of saying do as I say. They need to see us living a
thriving life of truth. They need to see your faith. Shout it,” Put yourself in Jesus’ hands”