Heart Thoughts...from Helen. Shouting Quietly! Catie is four ~, going on sixteen.
Catie reigns as the first girl born into the Lynn family, so she holds some.
Heart Thoughts...from Helen Shouting Quietly! Catie is four ~, going on sixteen. Catie reigns as the first girl born into the Lynn family, so she holds some distinction. Of course, her younger sisters, Becca and Briana, distinguish themselves in their own way, as does brother, Boaz. But this is about Catie, who carries on conversations like an adult and loves to talk on the phone, usually prefacing her thoughts with, "Wellllll", and, "You know what?" Catie, having been born in Calgary, Alberta, to our youngest son, Todd and his wife Joice, now resides in Juneau, Alaska. We visited them for Thanksgiving and were amazed to watch these four children relate to each other and to us. On our only Sunday in Alaska, we were blessed to attend the dedication service of the two youngest girls at The First Baptist Church of Juneau. All the children attended the service, so grandparents abounded, each tending to one. Boaz (3_) happened to be my charge. As grandmothers tend to prepare for such events, I found some paper and a pen for him to occupy himself. Wellllll, Catie decided she didn’t want her coloring apparatus, but wanted Boaz’. Well, we all know what that means in a church service designed to be reverent. Nana (me) told Catie that she had something to color and this was for Boaz. She immediately scooted back under the pew and I didn’t hear any more from her...until late that afternoon. Todd summoned me to the children’s room at which time Catie told me, head down, that I hurt her feelings. Since I am a GRANDmother, I wasn’t sure what or when, so I asked. "Catie, how did I hurt your feelings?" To which she immediately replied, "You shouted at me quietly!" I’m still in the dark here, so I asked again, "Um, when did I ‘shout quietly?’" Sniffing but no tears, she told me that in church I ‘shouted quietly’ at her. Pitiful blue eyes glanced up at me. "OK, I remember. Was it about Boaz and his pen and paper?" "Uh-huh, I mean, yes, Ma’am". So, I patiently explained to her that I certainly didn’t mean to ‘shout quietly’ or hurt her feelings; I continued to tell her how I saw the situation. I apologized and she forgave me. But I will never forget that I, her Nana, ‘shouted quietly’ and how it affected a four year old little girl dear to my heart. "No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love." (1 Corinthians 13:3b, THE MESSAGE) In the second purpose for our lives, as related by Rick Warren, we are formed for God’s family, and relationships are far more important than rules and rituals. Life is about loving. Do I love my grandchildren? Of course! Will I shout at them quietly or loudly ever again? Probably. It is, however, a sure thing that I won’t forget what Catie told me. My prayer is that whatever discipline or correction may be needed will be done recognizing the fact that loving God and loving each other in my words and my walk is what life is all about. Have you shouted quietly recently? (Helen welcomes any comments regarding her Heart Thoughts. You may email her at
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