“Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deut. 4:9

Yesterday was officially National Grandparents Day, a day that comes and goes without much fanfare or public attention. Both in our churches and on the national scene very little is said about grandparents and the vital role grandparents have in the lives of their families and this nation. What is of greater concern to me is how few grandparents give much thought their role because they are too busy living their own lives, or think it just comes naturally.

At CGN we believe “intentionality” expresses a central element of our role as grandparents. Truly effective grandparenting authentically models and teaches godliness, blessing, righteousness, wholehearted love for God and others, and an unwavering obedience to Christ. Proactive grandparents know that the legacy they leave is the life they live now. They know it requires intentionality in our relationships with God and man, our integrity and character, what we treasure and the things we say.

Authors Stephen and Janet Bly suggest in their book, The Power of A Godly Grandparent, that Paul’s list of attributes in Titus 2:2-5 for older men and women should be the basic attributes of godly grandparents: temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love and in endurance, reverent in behavior, not malicious gossips, not addicted to wine, teaching what is good. How do we measure up against this standard? The future of an entire generation may rest upon our intentionality to let these attributes shape our attitudes as followers of Christ.

Grandparents may not receive much recognition on Grandparents Day, but the only recognition that truly counts is to hear God say “well done, good and faithful servant,” and our grandchildren say, “The authentic faith of my grandparents is the faith that now lives in me.” That surpasses any national day of recognition.

GRANDPAUSE: The task ahead of us is never as ?great as the Power behind us. –unknown