What will the world be like in 2050? As a grandma in her 60’s, I’m pretty sure I won’t be around to experience it. But it can be a frightening thought to think how our precious grandchildren will be navigating through it.
Grandparents are the second most influential people in the lives of their grandchildren (after their parents). That means that it’s not enough to just spend time with them. We need to:
- Have a plan to increase our influence.
- To be intentional every time we see them or have contact with them.
- To seriously consider what kind of legacy we are going to leave them.
- And, to share our faith story and tell them about the challenges we have faced and the things we have endured.
God loves generational stories.
My husband and I recently returned from the Legacy Grandparenting Summit held in Fullerton, CA. It was the third annual summit to encourage Christian grandparents to be intentional in handing down their faith to their grandchildren. It was three days filled with resources, keynote speakers, worship leaders and over 50 different breakout sessions. Sessions included subjects like cultural trends, unleashing the power of blessing, leaving a legacy of prayer, and practical and fun things you can do when your grandkids visit.
We were not only inspired, but we have already begun to put into practice some of the ideas:
- Use every opportunity to bring God into the conversation.
- When they are young and you are at the beach, have them scoop up a handful of sand. Then share Psalm 139:17-18 with them, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.” Ask them if they can count the sand in their hand. And ask them to imagine God thinking all those thoughts about them.
- Watch Planet Earth with them and marvel at God’s creation together.
- Give them a blessing every time they go out the door. Numbers 6:24-26 is a great blessing. “The Lord bless you, and keep you (protect you, sustain you, and guard you). The Lord make His face shine upon you (with favor), and be gracious to you (surrounding you with loving kindness). The Lord lift up His countenance (face) upon you (with divine approval), and give you peace (a tranquil heart and life). (Amplified Bible)
- Pick a memorable time in their lives to give them a Bible. In the front of the Bible, write out your own salvation experience. In the back of the Bible, call out their identity – who God says they are and the special giftings you have noticed in them. A year before you give them the Bible, start making notes in it as you read. Personalize the notes for them using their name. Include prayers in the margins that you pray for them.
Psalm 90:12 says “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
I’m 65 years old, and the insurance charts say I’ll probably live 6,716 more days. If I subtract 30 days from that number every month, it will remind me how many days I potentially have left to live. I’m constantly amazed at how fast Sunday comes every week…and how fast Christmas comes every year…and how fast my grandchildren are growing. Numbering our days leads to urgency. Redeem the time!
I want to use every opportunity with the days I have left to be an intentional grandparent, a grandparent with purpose, a grandparent that leaves a legacy. Deut. 4:9 “Only pay attention and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your grandchildren (impressing these things on their mind and penetrating their heart with these truths). (AMP)
Russian Premier Vladimir Lenin said “Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world.” One church had a sign in their lobby that highlights that thought, “Whoever wants the next generation the most will be the one to get them.” The world is fighting for our youth, for our treasured grandchildren. What can we do to prepare our grandchildren with a Biblical worldview?
If you are interested in more information about the Legacy Coalition, go to legacycoalition.com or follow them on Facebook.
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Guest blog by Lori Nienau
