This morning as I was reading about a mission organization, which encourages retires to use their time wisely by sharing God’s love at home and abroad. The thought came to me that one way we can share God’s love with the world is by investing our lives in the lives of our dear grandchildren to become godly men and women who can influence their generation for Jesus Christ. As grandparents we can spend time with them, be their cheerleaders in their various activities. However, the most profitable thing we can do for them is to be their prayer warrior.

My friend Judy shared with me the following account of how her grandmother influenced her life.

“When I was a child I would spend two weeks with my grandparents every summer during Vacation Bible School time. My grandmother would discuss with me what I had learned that day. She lived on a farm so I was exposed to her gardening, canning fruits, and vegetables out of her garden, in addition to all her cooking and cleaning, knitting, sewing, painting, etc. She always had projects for us to do together. My grandmother never prayed with me but she did pray before meals and told me that she often prayed for my cousins and me. She did not preach about her faith in God to me, however, she just quietly lived it every day. When she died, I not only felt her physical lost but also her spiritual loss. I felt alone, like my angel had returned to heaven with her.

I was privileged to spend two weeks with both sets of grandparents each summer until I graduated from high school. I learned to love the elderly because I loved my grandparents so now I have a special place in my heart for the elderly”.

We never know how we are influencing our grandchildren. Create memories for your grandchildren by doing activities with them. Have them help you with small tasks around the house as baking cookies, having tea parties, going on hikes, looking for rocks as you are walking etc. Ask God what He wants you to do to make their visits meaningful and memorable.

Question: How are you influencing your grandchildren to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ?

Prayer

© 2011 Lillian Penner