The Gift of Being a Grandparent

5e12499eacbc16d2a4ae0ec6b6d3b82e“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.”  (Psalm 145:4)

‘Life keeps on slippin’ slippin’ into the future’ … the song says.  And with each phase of life comes blessings, privileges and opportunities because our God is so kind and gracious to each of us in so many ways.  Like the wheel of life we continue to move toward our eternal destiny, based on the choices we’ve made. By God’s grace, many are granted the pleasant and wonderful privilege to become a grandparent!  This writer and his beautiful wife have been blessed seven times over and we would love and welcome more, and each one of our grandchildren is unique and special.

The joy and pleasure, the giggles and tickling, the grumpiness and sometimes stern look of one who was plum out of patience … these are the memories of my ‘Papa.’  Oh yes, he also used a pipe, loved the Los Angeles Dodgers, snored ferociously, and he had false teeth!

If you didn’t have the experience and exposure of having a grandfather or grandmother around when you were young I am sorry.  I did and we got to hear tell him stories of his life, and history from his perspective.  Was he perfect, not by any stretch of the imagination?  Did he love us … completely!

Grandchildren ‘fill a space in our hearts that we never knew was empty.’ They bring with their introduction into this world untold joy, pride, love and a sense that all-is-well with the world, at least temporarily!

The Bible actually says a great deal about grandparents and grandchildren.  When Jacob was brought before his long lost, and presumed- dead son, Joseph, Moses records for us these words in Genesis 48:10, 11, “Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see.  Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.  And Israel said to Joseph, “I had not thought to see your face, but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring.”

It’s not difficult to imagine the joy and pride he must have felt upon seeing not only his son, but his son’s children!  Sometimes this experience is not available to hopeful grandparents for any number of reasons, but reasons nevertheless.

There’s nothing quite like the experience, is there …

  • When you see them for the very first time in the flesh.
  • When you get to hold them for the very first time and then all of the wonderful times to follow.
  • When they hold on to your finger for the very first time seeking love, warmth and your personal touch.
  • When they reach up and hold your face and chin for the first time and give you ‘sugars’ that are simply indescribable.
  • When they are big enough to run up to you and give you a big hug.
  • When they are not too big to still come up and give you a big hug.

Grandparents should come with years of wisdom, love, experience and faith to share with their grandchildren that will last their entire remaining lives.  It takes time for any relationship to grow and flourish that’s for sure.  But the relationship of grandparents to grandkids is formed so quickly and can be gone just as quickly by reason of the brevity of life that all effort must be made to strengthen it and enjoy it.

There is no greater privilege than to be able to teach our grandchildren the meaning of life, the value of faith and the significance of serving the Lord and others!  As Jacob and Job of old were able to do, so I have had the privilege of seeing our children’s children (Job 42:12) and for that privilege I offer the Lord my deepest appreciation daily!

So here is a shout out to all of us in the special and privileged group of society who are grandparents:  May we be the best example of godliness, the model of doing good and godly deeds, teaching our grandchildren to live lives that are characterized by integrity, faith, kindness and laughter.

“Grandparents make time for what is important”

 

Bill Fairchild, Jr.

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