Thirty five years after I accepted Christ, I retired and became a full-time grandma. Although it may not be obvious, there is a definite connection between these two events. Becoming a Christian was a turning point in my life. It marked the beginning of my journey toward a relationship with God. Emotionally, I consider it to be the lowest point in my life because I was suicidal and had no hope for the future. When I retired and became a full-time grandma, it was a dream come true. Emotionally, it was the highest point in my life because of the excitement I had about the future and the happiness I felt about reaching the end of a successful career. At that point, I was no longer depending on myself, but trusting that God would take care of me for the rest of my life.

Solomon’s temple was a magnificent structure that took seven years to build (1 Kings 6:38). It’s construction occurred at the height of Israel’s triumph over their enemies (1 Kings 5:4). It says in 1 Kings 6:1, “and it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.” The timing is very specific and the reference to the children of Israel coming out of Egypt makes it seem as if the passing of time is relevant to the transformation of the Israelites from slaves into victorious warriors.

Something I think every Christian has to learn is how to depend on God, but beyond that is fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. When I became a Christian, I had a strong desire to have a family. The best years of my life were during the time when I was a stay at home mom. Although it was not in my nature to be married and settle down, I had three children and God began to transform me into a different kind of person. I believe becoming a full-time grandma marked the end of that transformation. I am no longer the same person I was before I became a Christian.