Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me…(Mark 9:37a)

I had the privilege of chatting with Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, on my radio program, Not On My Watch. Wess is a passionate advocate for the children of the world. His own personal journey had much to do with God shaping his heart for the little ones in our world, especially those who are so vulnerable and neglected. I encourage you to listen to his story from the interview, recorded in two parts. Both interviews will be available by podcast from our web site this week on Tuesday following the broadcast. You can download the interview on our web site. (link)

It is an expression of our heavenly Father’s own heart to be actively involved in the lives of the children in our world. As grandparents, the most important children for which we ought to be passionate advocates are our own grandchildren. It is the reason that the Christian Grandparenting Network exists. With nearly 100 million of us in the United States today, we have the opportunity to make a huge difference for the future by investing in the children of today. If we ignore such a great opportunity and responsibility, we risk losing an entire generation to the transforming power of the Gospel and the true purpose for which God has created each of them. I’m not willing to let that happen on my watch. Are you?

The purpose behind this weekly email, my weekly radio program, our GrandCamps during the summer, our national Grandparents’ Day of Prayer, and the teaching I do through the Not On Our Watch seminars is to call to grandparents wake up to the world around them, and urge them to join the the front line battle for the hearts and souls of our grandchildren. This year I intend to step up the crusade and the cause for the hearts and souls of the next generations. I hope you will join me and spread the word.

My conversation with Wess Stafford reminded me of the amazing opportunities we have to live as conduits of blessing, not only for our own grandchildren, but also for the children in our church, our neighborhood and around the world. The evil that took so many young lives in Newtown, Connecticut is the same evil determined to take captive the hearts of children everywhere. That is why I am so grateful for the work that Wess and Compassional International are doing. They care about children and are doing something to rescue them from physical, emotional and spiritual destitution. I encourage you to consider supporting one or more children at Compassion, but don’t just write a check. Get involved with the child you support. More importantly, enlist your grandchildren to participate with you.

Here is a powerful opportunity for you to engage with your grandchildren so that you are not only blessing to them, but you are sharing the experience of being a blessing to someone else at the same time. Some of your grandchildren might be able to help with the small monthly support. If that’s not practical then offer to take care of the financial piece if they will agree to help you pick a child to sponsor, write letters, send photos and pray for the child or children.

If you are able and really want to invest in the child’s life you are sponsoring, why not make plans to take your grandchild(ren) with you on a Compassion sponsored tour to meet your sponsored child face-to-face in their own country. It could be life-changing for everyone. Who knows the impact that such an investment could make for the Kingdom!

The Father’s heart holds a special place for the world’s “little ones”. He makes that abundantly clear in His Word. So tell me, how’s your heart? Does it resonate with the Father’s?

GRANDPAUSE: If you take up the suggestion to partner with your grandchildren to sponsor a child, or find a child in your own community you can help, will you write me and share your experience? Perhaps you’re already doing something like this. Tell me what you’re doing. I know others could be encouraged by your story.