Family

Being a Grandparent in Shutdown

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged parents are the pride of their children.  Proverbs 17:6

I have always believed that when grandparents and parents play on the same team kids win. But when our grandchildren can’t come to see us and it’s hard even having a backyard barbeque a how can we continue to be a part of their lives?

I love long slow walks with our grandkids but now with them being in a lockdown area our visiting is on hold. So I have begun a letter writing campaign to try and keep in touch. Granted that they don’t write back much but I know at least that they have something that they can keep forever; unlike a video call that ends with a tap of a finger. Nana can’t make sure that there are  chocolate chip cookies on their table; but she can send them small thoughtful gifts that no one else knows they will love.

P1040056

Maybe most of all our enforced separation has caused us on both ends of the phone calls, to value the relationships we have taken for granted. We are not just asking how they are doing but we are really listening to what they have to say. Sometimes Dad and Mom feel like the demands will never end but we Grandparents know that it all comes to an end too quickly and we treasure slow and ordinary moments. God bless all you Moms and Dads as you have shared your children with us. We only have them for a little while and we promise to give them back to you wrapped tightly in the love of a grandparent!

While I certainly don’t have all the answers these are a few things we have been doing so why not let us know what is working for you.

20190813_123703_Film4

Free Caregivers Devotional

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

As we move further into the new normal of Corona life more and more people may find that they are becoming a caregiver in a new sense of the word. Children are home and with even the parks closed we are being forced to come up with new ways of engaging with them, encouraging them and even helping with their online class work. For others who have a senior in the home, the reality that the senior centers, churches and restaurants are now closed means spending a lot more time with mom, dad, Aunt Linda or Uncle Bill. Though being a caregiver is a part of what we are designed by God to do, it can also be exhausting, intimidating and frustrating. When I wrote Grace for the Road it never entered my mind that it was for more than just people with friends or family either in Long Term care or with special needs at home. My small contribution this week is a free down load from now till Monday of a 30 day devotional written just for you. It is a combination of true stories from my several decades of ministry in long term care facilities, memories of our own family and a simple Bible based encouragement for the day. If you are suddenly a newly minted caregiver then my prayer is that this free resource may be a blessing to you.

Grace for the Road by Peter Caligiuri is available on Amazon and you can either search for that title or go directly to the listing by clicking on the link below.  So the until we break out into the sunshine from under this Covid-19 cloud in the words of Tiny Tim; “God bless us every one!”

Grace For The Road

Grace for the Road image

Meeting Dad

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

As a father  shows compassion to His children so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13 ESV

Back in 1966 when I was 15 I met my dad outside a family courtroom. That day he came to contest my mom’s plan for my adoption by my step father. I really had no idea what was happening as mom went into the judge’s chambers and I was left standing in the hall. Seated by the doorway was a vaguely familiar looking man with his wife and I wondered what he was doing there. Then mom came out looking a bit grim and it was my turn to talk to the judge. I went in alone more curious than afraid wondering what he wanted with me.

“Do you like your father?” The judge asked.

“I don’t know. ” I answered truthfully. I don’t know who my father is.

“Then how would you like the chance to find out ” the judge asked. “How would you like to visit with him one weekend a month?”

This morning as I was reading this verse, I remembered that one day God had also shown up to claim me as His own. I had done nothing to deserve His love forgiveness and compassion but He chose me. Because of the precious blood of Jesus He granted me and anyone in this world who is willing the amazing wonderful and unearned privilege to meet our Heavenly Father and to be included in His family forever!