Treasure Digest Turning the Hearts Children's Children Are a Crown to Grandparents
Did you ever meet a grandma who didn't have photos of her grandkids handy? I remember my wife walking through airports with a canvas bag that had slots for photos on the outside. Many commented on the pictures of our grandchildren.
Grandparents have a glow on their faces when they think about or speak of their grandchildren. Often when I talk with others who are grandparents, I sense their love for and the desire to be with their grandchildren as often as possible.
Grandparents are a blessing to any family in so many ways. We will explore some of these occasionally in this column. This time I want to focus on helping lead our grandchildren to be righteous.
"Therefore know that the L ord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments" (Deuteronomy 7:9; see also 6:7). Three of those generations involve you as a grandparent and your grandchildren.
How may we help keep our grandchildren following God?
1. Our Example. We can, with God's help, be Christlike in all we do. How we treat our grandchildren and others will say much about whether our grandkids will follow in God's way.
2. Our Teaching. Grandparents have so many experiences with life and particularly with the Christian life. We may impart to our grandchildren the wisdom and godliness that we have learned. It is important to teach our grandchildren the godly principles through stories or lessons. Read to them in a way that children may understand the wonderful examples of biblical heroes. We can help our grandchildren come to love those who walked with God so they may have godly models to follow.
3. Our Blessings. We can show them the principle of giving by bringing presents and doing things for them. Giving them books and toys or their favorite meals will show them that there are benefits to following godly ways. They will learn that giving brings happiness both to the giver and receiver.
Remember Proverbs 17:6, "Children's children are the crown of old men [and women]."
