Worth It All

On July 15, 2001, I found out what 'liquid love' is!  When you experience the birth of your first grandchild, that's what you feel.  There's no other feeling to describe it.  I thought I knew what love was when I gave birth to my two children, but knowing that my baby was now giving birth to
her baby, oh wow!  Tears of joy.  Tears of happiness.  Tears of overlowing at this miracle
of life who was so tiny, yet so perfect.  My "Sunshine", Autumn Rayne Henderson.

Needless to say, I was a proud "gram".  My grandbaby lived about five minutes away.  I
could go see her every day.  But then something happened.  When she was about 18 months
old my daughter Joy and her husband Cory went to "visit" a church in Panama City, Florida,
about 2 1/2 hours away from Milton.  Little did I know this "visit" would turn my world upside
down.

A few weeks after this "visit" they told the family they felt God was calling them to be youth
pastors at Callaway Assembly of God.  I was devastated, heartbroken, and overwhelmed.
My perfect little world was unraveling right before my eyes. 

You see, I'm very family oriented.  Our families all live within 5 to 10 minutes from us, and I
guess I  take that for granted.  So when Cory and Joy broke the news to us, it felt like they
might as well be moving to another planet.  I cried and cried about this decision.  I let God
know about it too.  I told Him how unfair it was.  I reminded Him Sunshine was my first
grandbaby, and that I wouldn't be near to watch every day events in her life. 

But then He reminded me of something.
They weren't moving to another state.
They weren't moving to another country.
They were only moving a few hours away.

Another thing also happened that changed my heart attitude.  I was coming home from
work one day and a song by Rita Springer, "Worth It All" came on the radio that I'd never heard before.  Coincidence?  No, I don't think so.  I think God was speaking directly to me, heart to heart.  I had to pull over off the side of the road and bawl my eyes out.  It became my "heart
song", and to this day it still makes me cry.  It's that special to me.  I'd like to share the words
with you and let you know that if you're going through something, God knows all about it...
and He cares.  He truly does.

"WORTH IT ALL" by Rita Springer

I don't understand Your ways
Oh but I will give You my song
Give You all of my praise
You hold on to all my pain
With it You are pulling me closer
And pulling me into Your ways

Now around every corner
And up every mountain
I'm not looking for crowns
Or the water from fountains
I'm desperate in seeking, frantic believing
That the sight of Your face
Is all that I need
I will say to You

It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it
It's gonna be worth it all
I believe this

You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it
You're gonna be worth it all
I believe this

In August of 2011 my children did move to another state.  God called them to be youth
and young adult pastors at Christian Life Assembly of God in Columbia, South Carolina.
We drove with them and their belongings, and another grandbaby, my precious grandson
Easton Alexander Henderson, who was born September 19, 2007.  Another miracle
baby.  More tears.  Bittersweet.  Excited for this new move in their lives, but sad at knowing
that now they're 8 1/2 hours away.  A heavy heart letting them go, but knowing "it's gonna be worth it all."