God's Gift of Being a Grandfather

George Bloomquist

 That thou mightest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.  Deu 6:2

Five days a week I drive our youngest granddaughter to high school in a neighboring town which is about eleven miles away. During that time we talk about a lot of things, including her classes in school, her friends, and the Lord. Unfortunately, our two granddaughters share their lives between their father (our son) and their mother who have been divorced for nearly seven years. In spite of the challenges and moving between two homes, our home has become not only their stopping point but also a place of refuge.

Being retired, we have found a ministry with the girls and also with a grandson who lives in our city. We are grateful to the Lord for the privilege of being available to listen, share, and pray with them. We’ve had many good times together doing simple things like riding bikes, walking, visiting parks and small towns in our area where we’ve made a lot of memories. I am always amazed that when we ask, “What would you like to do today when you don’t have school?”  They simply ask to do some of the same things we’ve done over the years.

In spite of all the attractions and distractions in our lives today, what all of us need is someone to love us, to show they care about us, and who will help us grow in our Christian life. When the Word of God tells us in Deuteronomy 6 (Deut 6:2,6-7), that fathers are to have the Word in their heart and to teach it to their children, it also infers that grandfathers can have the same influence.

Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 2:8 that men, in every place, are to pray, demonstrating godly lives and living without anger and conflict. The best lesson we can give our grandchildren is a life the demonstrates the love of Christ and one that displays holiness. If we do not live that kind of live then our grandchildren will get their behavior patterns from others who do not have the same personal love and concern for them. In these last days before the return of Jesus Christ, it is more important than ever before.

My three grandchildren all know that I am not perfect, but they know that I can admit my failures and that I love them. I’ve had the privilege of hearing them confess their sin and ask Jesus Christ to come into their lives and then to baptize them as they began their life in Christ. Without a doubt that is the best experience we could ever have in their lives. These are the things that make life full and meaningful.

Since I take the youngest girl to school and back each day, we have some humorous experiences tool Recently, just before my birthday, we found ourselves behind a small slow-moving SUV.  As I went around it, I saw and older man who was short and looking through the steering wheel. I remarked to my granddaughter, “Look at that old man driving!” An her replay was, “He’s your age.” The day after that comment I had a birthday and now that I’m a bit older, I’m learning that my love for our grandchildren also includes laughing at myself. It’s a sign the trust me and I’m so grateful to the Lord and pray that all who are grandparents will find the same joy and opportunity in life.

Thanks for Taking Five - Victory Ministries of Middle Tennessee - VMMTN.COM

God bless and bless GOD