There is a special bond between Grandparents and their Grandchildren. It runs deep and is so beautiful to behold. Pure, unfiltered joy on both parts. It is hard to measure who values the other more, the Grandparents or the Grandchildren? I see it each time Grandpa comes to visit, which is every Saturday, so it is quite frequent. And even though the children get to hangout with Grandpa every week, their excitement and joy whenever they see him is always full energy excitement and joy, as is his as well. You can always tell the precise moment he enters the house; there will be the heavy thuds of children running on the hardwood floors, followed by loud shrieks of joy as they jump into his warm embrace. Then the excited little voices all speaking rapidly at the same time trying to bring him up to speed with the adventures and projects and triumphs of the previous week. I love it! I absolutely love it all. You will find my husband and I with large ear-to-ear grins plastered on our faces as we watch from the sidelines, not wanting to interrupt this precious moment. I keep planning to record at least one of these joyous moments as a keepsake but never get round to it. I hope next week will be the week I get to capture this pure expression of love on camera. But even if I’m too engrossed in the moment to reach out for my phone, I’m content with these heartwarming memories being etched in the precious minds and hearts of our children. And mine too.
Last week during our Church at Home service, we discussed Israel (also known as Jacob) the father of Joseph and how he blessed his Grandchildren in Genesis.48:8-9. Then Israel saw Joseph’s sons, and said, “Who are these?” Joseph said to his father, “They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place.” And he said, “Please bring them to me, and I will bless them.”
I vaguely remember sitting on my Grandmother’s laps and receiving a warm greeting and blessing. Sadly, my Grandparents on both sides of the family passed away while I was still very young. Thankfully, they were believers in Jesus Christ so I know we will meet again and I’m grateful that they blessed me while they were still alive.
Are you a Grandparent? Have you taken the time to prayerfully bless your Grandchildren? The blessings that a Grandparent bestows are an especially beautiful and powerful thing that the LORD honors. We see it countless times in the Bible. And whatever the Grandparent proclaimed and declared over their Grandchild’s life always came to pass.
Psalm 145:4 One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts.
Oh, what a blessing to have Grandparents who know the Lord; their testimony is sure because they have lived what they preach. Their life experience gives them a certain confidence and assurance as they speak to their Grandchildren about the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus. I’ve been blessed to witness this in my children’s lives. They love to sit on Grandpa’s lap as he tells them about Jesus. They love to video chat with Nana, smiling and giggling as she teaches them to sing praise and worship songs to Jesus. I love to see the Word of God fulfilled as this happens and one does not have to wait to be a Grandparent to do this. Like the Word of God says in Psalm.145:4, whether you are telling your children or your grandchildren about the mighty acts of the loving God we serve, one generation is commending the works of God to another. Hallelujah!
Luke 1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
Our actions will not only affect us. The consequences of each action I take (or don’t take) will not only affect me but will also affect my children and grandchildren. From generation to generation. This is quite sobering. Whether I lived a life of righteousness or not will affect my children and their children too. With the Holy Spirit’s help as I lead a life of obedience and reverential fear of God, He stretches His hand of mercy not only over me but over every generation that comes after me. How awesome is that! I’m reminded of God telling Solomon that He would not take the Kingdom away from him because of the faithfulness of his father David. My faithfulness to God provides a covering of protection over my children, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and so on from generation to generation.
Proverbs 13:22 “Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner’s wealth passes to the godly”.
Leaving an inheritance takes thought, planning and guidance from God. This means thinking and planning beyond my own life but prayerfully thinking and planning for the lives of those that will come after me. An inheritance is not just money, but all forms of treasures that you are able to bestow onto the next generation. Teaching them the Word of God, teaching them to have integrity, compassion and love for others, as well as inspiring the love and service of Jesus by sharing what God has done for you are some examples of an inheritance you can leave your Grandchildren in addition to money or property.
As a Grandparent, be thoughtful in your interactions with your Grandchildren. Let them reap the blessings of having you in their lives as you play with them and pray with them, teaching them God’s Word and pronouncing your blessings over them.
We too as parents have a role to play as well. To make room for our children to spend time with their Grandparents often. If we are blessed to still have them with us, let us not take this blessing for granted. And for Grandparents that don’t serve God, we are charged to pray for them and remind their Grandchildren to pray for them often so that they will know and serve the Lord.
PIN THIS!
Read more of Rachel’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
