I sighed as I studied the multiplicity of little fingerprints on my office windows.

But it wasn’t a sigh of frustration; it was a sigh of nostalgia. With spray bottle and cloth in one hand, I reached out to the glass pane with the other, delicately tracing the smudgings.


Those were the fingerprints of my youngest grandson, who was experiencing his first day of 4-year-old kindergarten at this very moment.


Both of Archie’s parents work full-time, which has given me the privilege and honor of keeping him sporadically through his first four and half years. I started out caring for him every week day from 5:00 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. That later changed to every Monday and Friday throughout the entire day. Eventually, my assignment became every Wednesday.


The glass in our home has been his occasional view into the outdoor world – and consequently, the collection of fingerprints.


One October with golden leaves still on the trees, he witnessed the first snowfall through the sliding glass doors.


My office window definitely had the most smudges. From the arrival of the mail carrier to spring rainstorms, he was mesmerized by life outside the window.

When we had our driveway asphalt repaired, he thrilled at watching the professionals work their super fun and loud machines.


During the school year, a chair was required to watch for the school bus out the windows in the front door.

Archie’s little fingerprints indicated that he had been there: his curiosity and focus documented by tiny hand marks.


Just as the sight of Archie’s fingerprints brings joy to my heart, so my fingerprints have the potential to fill God’s heart with delight. He created me and filled me with His love so that I may share Him with others. When I meet with Him each morning in my “God Time,” He puts His fingerprints on me through His Word.


Then, coming full circle, I leave my fingerprints on people that I interact with throughout the day whether in person, in writing, or over the phone. My fingerprints reflect who I am, what I value, and how I interact with the world.


As I imagine my young grandson sitting on an alphabet rug in his colorful 4K classroom, I wonder what fingerprints of mine are on his life.


I’ve delighted in teaching him about Jesus, including singing Bible songs and memorizing verses. One day when I was putting him down for his nap, he said, “I know, Nana: I’m made in God’s image and you love me.” He said it before I could.


We always pray before we eat. During lunch one time when I served him seconds, he said, “Let’s thank Jesus for this.”


Of course, only a fraction of interactions are spiritual. But my character should be full of the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Disclaimer: I frequently fall short particularly when my internal attitude is taken into account.) I want all of these characteristics to be prominent in my life. “Lord, help me be more like You” is my constant prayer.


My heart’s desire is be sure I am leaving godly fingerprints everywhere I go.

 

Deep breath. I can do this.


I proceed to wipe those fingerprints off the glass as I pray for Archie’s first day at 4K – knowing God’s fingerprints will always be on Him long after mine are wiped away.