“Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)
Reading Daniel Tiger several times a day doesn’t grow old and neither does the image of tiny or not-so-tiny fingers pointing to the top of page in anticipation of what’s on the next page. You know the feeling don’t you?
Having a grandchild run a series of knock-knock jokes requiring the usual response of “who’s there?” It doesn’t matter what the real answer is … it is their laughter and sheer happiness of sharing a quality moment with Papa Bear or Hunny! You know the feeling don’t you?
Someone once penned the line “a grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” I don’t know who they were, but I know they understood the place of grandchildren in a grandparent’s heart!
What a wonderful blessing and gift from the Lord wrapped up in the most beautiful or handsome baby grandson or granddaughter. We ooh and aah and cuddle and love on and smile endlessly at just about everything they do.
But grandbabies grow up all too quickly. We only have a short amount of time to nurture, teach, and help mold them into adults who will hopefully become Christians, and hold to truth and teach the gospel to the next generations. The process is arduous, treacherous at times … but what a blessing and reward to watch and to be a part of.
To my knowledge no one ever reached the appropriate retirement age reached saying “I sure wish I had spent more time on my job.” Yet so many have lamented that they wasted way too much time away from their family.
True success is not measured in earthly and material possessions. True success is raising up godly children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord and watching them incorporate God’s principles into their hearts and lives.
Moses warned the people of his day to remember … keep themselves right with the One who made them and continued to provide for them … and to teach their children and grandchildren those same truths. You see, in the Lord’s infinite wisdom He knew that remembering, walking uprightly and teaching would help all of them to be strong in the Lord.
Three suggestions:
- We must love the Lord fervently.
- We must teach our children and grandchildren diligently.
- We must live in the world and its decadent culture carefully.
So … how is our walk with the Lord today? Is it growing warmer with each new day or indifferent with the passing of time and the distractions of this world?
Our Lord is so rich in mercy, patience and grace … but none of that will last forever! Please start today … spending more time with your family “Today while it is called today.”
Welcome into this bright and wonderful world Olivia Lorilynn Gray! You have already captured our hearts. May we help you to become all that God wants you to become. Grandchild #9 and Sacred Selections Baby #256. Indeed, God Is Love.
A proud Papa Bear
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
PS: How are you doing on your daily Bible reading/study?
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