My oldest grandson just entered his last 12 months of elementary school. The years have whizzed by in a flurry of sweet and sometimes salty photographs, each representing a chance to spend time with this blonde bundle of energy, who will change into a full-fledged man in what seems a nanosecond. He would really like my use of the word nanosecond, because it is so way more interesting than the word “second” and way more current than the expression “within the blink of an eye fixed.”
It has been said, “grandparents are a pleasant mix of laughter, caring deeds, wonderful stories, and love.” I hope that my grandchildren would agree!
As Christians, our view of how we decide to have interaction within the lives of our grandchildren may be guided fully by our faith, our deep desire to satisfy the decision of Scripture to like others well, and by our strong desire to go away a legacy of God’s “righteousness with our youngsters’s children,” Psalm 103:17. Let me share with you eight clever ways that you may have a wealthy and lasting impact in your grandchildren.
1. Overflow With Unconditional Love
Grandparents have a singular opportunity to be honest with themselves regarding the missteps that they might have made as parents, while aligning with the Psalmist in declaring, “Search me, O God, and know my heart” Psalm 139:23-24. In doing so, grandparents can move forward humbly and boldly in caring for his or her grandchildren with a really Christ-informed mindset of affection that’s unconditional. Such love values grace over judgment, shuns comparison, and sees each individual grandchild as beautifully unique and made within the image of God.
2. Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
Four to 5 mornings every week, I stand within the downstairs powder room with my not-quite-four-year-old granddaughter and take heed to Mickey Mouse sing the comb your teeth song. As I put toothpaste on her toothbrush this morning, she handed me my toothbrush. She stood on my little step stool, and the 2 of us made our teeth sparkle. We have all heard the phrase, “More is caught than taught.” Whether getting out and taking walks together or snacking on berries and juicy summer watermelon, healthy behavior catches on. It has the added potential good thing about grandma and papa being around for a very long time!
3. Be Present and Available
It goes without saying that any truly good relationship has a foundation of ongoing and consistent interaction. One writer calls this “the ability of being there.” For grandparents who live near their grandchildren, this will likely take the form of assisting with after-school care, a special weekend date, or just showing up for special school programs and extra-curricular activities.
Some crucial keys to significant grandparent-grandchild interactions are as follows: 1. Check-in with parents to clear outings and activities. 2. Always show up and be where you say you’ll be. 3. Focus in your grandchild in a loving and supportive manner. This is the current in being present!
4. Be Intentional
Even in case your grand’s live distant, and also you only have the chance to go to in person yearly or so, you continue to can create a gift and meaningful relationship through intentional, planned visits that may give attention to time with them. Throughout the 12 months, caring deeds reminiscent of phone calls, FaceTime, handwritten letters, and thoughtful small gifts proceed to maneuver forward the connection you seek to construct. A postcard from a visit you’ve got gone on or a photograph is usually a fun technique to connect. You may even try being pen pals along with your grandchild. Whatever your circumstance, the goal is to be intentional in constructing a powerful, loving connection that may impact your grandchild throughout their lifetime.
5. Have Fun!
The fantastic thing about fun is that it’s just plain a great time. A grandparent, who’s a mix of part laughter and part love, starts with a way of play, allows for a pinch of silliness, and adds an entire lot of imagination. Counselor and pastor Charles Shedd noted, “Grandparents are, certainly, a few of the world’s best educators.” It is amazing how we will share hobbies, a love of reading or nature skills, and all styles of wisdom and wonder once we mix it with a generous portion of fun-having. Consider what your grandchildren already enjoy, and find out about it. Let them teach you a thing or two as well, or search for creative ways to present what you’re keen on and invite them into recent learning worlds full of pleasure.
6. Stay Relevant
Two of the best missteps a grandparent could make of their relationship with their grandchild are losing their sense of what it was prefer to be young and scoffing on the changes or recent trends that come together with each generation. As the older generation, we will want to imbue the younger ones we love with certain ideals and traditions. We may feel confused and dismayed when our well-meaning lessons fall on deaf ears. Remembering that we, too, were once the generation questioning traditions, and embracing recent ideas, might help us to construct common ground with our grandchildren. Ask questions, be inquisitive about recent technology and paradigms, and be willing to try something recent when possible. Listen well without judgment, and seek to grasp somewhat than point to the best way things was once. I’m not suggesting you shrug off your faith or family values, but somewhat that you simply listen and love well with a view to honor their interests and actively example your faith.
7. Tell Your Story
“Young people need something stable to hold on to – a culture connection, a way of their very own past, a hope for his or her future. Most of all they need what grandparents can provide them.” Pastor J. Kesler
Every grandparent has a story that has been written on their life by the hand of a loving and purposeful God. There are flawed parts that perhaps can only be shared rigorously and with great wisdom when chatting with young hearts, but amongst these, there may be tale after tale of redemption, kindness, and hope. All of those are a part of the history that may be laced with humility and passed all the way down to our descendants. These wonderful stories can unfold naturally as you enjoy a meal together, walk within the neighborhood, or drive to an outing. You may also share bits of history in notes and letters and even in a more formal legacy journal.
8. Love Jesus by Example
Psalm 92:14 encourages the older Christians to proceed to bear fruit and stay fresh and green as they maintain relationships and righteousness through Jesus Christ. This Psalm creates a vivid word picture of a priceless life that leads others to God simply through a flourishing vitality of their faith. As grandparents, we may not all the time have the chance to share our faith verbally with our grandchildren, and if we do, it should all the time be supported by the actions of our every day life. As noted previously, godly grandparents can impact their grandchildren through an unconditional love that reflects well how God loves them and us. Grandparents can actively live out their faith within the day-to-day, searching for to exemplify a growing faith in God integrated into all points of life. It could also be an easy prayer for travel safety as we evidence our reliance on and hope in God.
Grandparents who value prayer for the powerful gift it’s can change into legacy-makers, deeply impacting the lives of their grandchildren through diligently praying for his or her grandchildren, they usually can love them with biblical words of affirmation and blessing over their lives. Almost every day, as I buckle my youngest granddaughter into her automobile seat, I remind her that she is a present from God. My oldest grandson often hears the words, “You are a nice young man of God.”
Billy Graham once noted, “The best legacy one can pass on to at least one’s grandchildren is just not money or other material things gathered in a single’s life, but somewhat a legacy of character and faith.”
Within every grandparent is an awesome well of impact potential to influence the generations that come after with grace and truth. We may be not simply grandparents but additionally mentors, trusted allies, a spot of safety, an inspiration to hunt God, and a warm, delightful example of affection and laughter. These are the makings of character and faith and the clever ways you’ll be able to have a wealthy and lasting impact in your grandchildren.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Maryna Andriichenko
Stacey Monaco has been speaking and writing since her first unpublished children’s book within the fifth grade. Her journey as a author has taken her from the depths of blue water exploration, to the simplicity of crafting words to encourage and educate within the areas of loss, legacy, leadership, and living life passionately with purpose. Stacey received her Masters Degree in Christian Ministry and Leadership from Talbot School of Theology, and has worked in lots of roles from slinging coffee to pastoring women. To find more on living the Christian life with intention, head over to her website at StaceyMonaco.com.
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