“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” Deut. 4:9

Father’s Day is typically occupied with thoughts and activities honoring our dads.  Grandfathers, men who are two-generation dads, get to enjoy a double honor.  I hope grandfathers reading this will use this Father’s Day to consider the significance of their role and how well they are living out that role.

The heart of a godly grandfather (and father) reflects the heart of God for His children.  If I am to be the kind of grandfather my grandchildren deserve, I need to embrace the Father’s heart and reflect it to my children and grandchildren.  Here are four intentional commitments of such a life:

WATCH: A godly grandfather guards his own heart from the lies and corruption of the world so he can effectively lead his own children and grandchildren in the ways of godliness.  Our grandchildren want our wisdom and godly counsel when they know our lives are being guided by good choices and wise decisions.

REMEMBER: A godly grandfather who watches his life carefully will also be a man who never forgets the goodness and faithfulness of God in both the best of times and the worst of times.  A commitment to remember God’s faithfulness is a commitment to pay attention to the amazing ways God works in life.

TEACH: A godly grandfather wants his grandchildren to know how God has proven Himself faithful and good in his own life as He will in theirs.  A grandfather who reflects the Father’s heart will look for every opportunity to teach his children and grandchildren the truth about the greatness of the Father, the depth of His love for them, and His relentless desire for their best.  They need to know that obedience to the Father is not limiting, but freeing.

MODEL: A godly grandfather knows that important lessons are more often caught than taught, and so he values the time he has with his grandchildren. He invests himself in his grandchildren with his time and undivided attention. Our grandchildren need and want a grandfather who gives them himself and authentically loves them as our heavenly Father loves us.

May God raise up an army of godly grandfathers who reflect the Father’s heart and represent Christ well to the next generations.

GRANDPAUSE: Choosing to follow Christ in the little things is evidence that we have given Him our whole heart. – David Jeremiah