grandchildren

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.

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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.

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Thanksgiving- A Doorway to Christmas

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And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. Luke 17:15-16 KJV

“What’s the magic word?” My Mom asked as I reached for the brownie in her hand. My six year old brain whirled for a moment then a little light went on in my brain. “Thank you Mom” As young children most of our parents make an attempt to teach us please and thank you. But why does it really matter? Jesus thinks it does and on the day he healed ten lepers He showed us why.  P1030323

That morning Jesus met ten men afflicted with the terrible disease of leprosy. They all kept their distance and shouted, “Jesus! Master! Have mercy on us!”  Jesus agreed to heal them, but first He sent them to the priest for inspection as the law required. On their way towards the village the men saw that their leprous spots had disappeared. Nine rushed forward towards the priest but one man did what always put a smile on my mother’s face; He went back to say thank you – without being asked!

He decided that he could wait to see everyone else; but he couldn’t wait to see Jesus. Then for the first time that he was allowed to come close to anyone, He fell at Jesus’ feet to worship and give thanks. As you read this maybe you’re still up to your elbows in leftover turkey. But what better way is there to open the door to Christmas than a special day to say thank you?

Staying Connected

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Making Connections

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9 ESV

One of my least favorite bumper stickers says, “We are spending our children’s inheritance” Usually this is on the back of a shiny new RV or expensive camper.

man standing leaning on orange camper

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But Paul has better things in mind for us of the older generation. Of course the most important things we leave our children are not money or possessions. Paul begins by telling his friends, the inheritance he is giving them begins with what he has taught them. Our words to our children can hurt or heal; they can criticize or praise. Once a word is spoken it can never be unsaid and so it helps to slow down long enough to think before we launch into an angry lecture or sarcastic response.

Next Paul points his friends to the experiences they have shared together. Some of us plan events with our families such as a day at an amusement park or a meal at a fancy restaurant as a way of making memories. But Paul reminds his friends, of what they have seen, not of their “special” days but on their ordinary days together. When we walk with our family and loved ones with honesty, humility and grace they receive an eternal inheritance. In fact the most important thing that we will ever do is to pass along the peace that comes through our living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.