Many of us will have grandchildren graduating from Middle School, High School, or College this time of the year. Recently a grandmother in Oklahoma sent me a copy of a note her grandson sent to her, I found encouraging.

“My favorite memory of my Grandmother happened when I was spending the night in her old duplex. We were lying down in that old ugly sleeper sofa and she asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I answered that I wanted to be a preacher like my dad. Instead of encouraging me or thinking how cute it was that a five-year-old boy wanted to be just like his father, my grandmother took that opportunity to teach a relatively deep theological message.

‘She said, “You don’t just preach because you want to, God has to call you. He will call you to whatever He wants you to do to work for His kingdom.”

I am sure I said, “OK” and went on playing with a toy truck or something but I remember it to this day. And, because of that I’ve always taken comfort in knowing that I don’t have to worry about the future or what career I’ll go into; all I have to do is trust that God will use me and will guide me into something fun, rewarding, and beneficial to His kingdom.”

I think it is amazing how a remark to a five-year-old boy from his grandmother made such impact upon his life. Our words that we say to our grandchildren can make a significant impact on their lives.

God has created our grandchildren for a unique purpose and given us the opportunity to partner with Him on their behalf with our prayers and be their cheerleaders.

Let’s pray our grandchildren will understand and accept their God-given assignments, be motivated to pursue them and then trust God to provide the resources to fulfill those assignments. Then they will find contentment– the world cannot provide. Only God can provide fulfillment and contentment.

Used by permission from Opal Ashenbrenner, OK

© Lillian Penner 2011