“I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.”
Psalm 89:1
On a recent walk to the mailbox, I noticed a bird that appeared to be injured. My eyes then caught sight of a nest in our nearby bush. Inside the next were babies. Then it hit me. The bird wasn’t really injured, it was simply trying to lure me away from the nest so I would not harm the babies.
Aren’t we like that with our families? Most of us, I believe, will do whatever it takes to protect our families from harm. We don’t want our spouse, our children, or our grandchildren to be hurt in any way. Like that cunning bird, we strive to keep our family members from physical harm.
But what about spiritual safety? Are we as vigilant to protect our families from spiritual harm? Do the rising generations (our children, grandchildren, and those around us who are younger spiritually) know that we will have their backs when they are in trouble or working through struggles?
Most parents I know tend to be very protective of their young children. Some may perhaps even lean toward being overprotective (especially with their first child). However, as their children grow older, many parents begin to think that they must give their maturing children space. As they listen to the world around them, they reason that this is what good parents do. They let their children grow and learn for themselves. They assume children can figure things out on their own. And holding this belief, they give their children a cellphone, car keys, and little supervision.
What It Means for Grandparents
But I’m a grandparent. I’ve raised my own children, worked hard for many years, and invested lots of time and energy into them. Why does all this matter to me? Why should I want to invest further in the rising generations?
The second part of Psalm 89:1 gives us the answer, “with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations” (emphasis mine). If we are not willing to spend time, money, and effort in making Christ known, then the next generations are not going to think Christ is worthwhile.
Many of us know at least part of the verse, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). It’s a favored Scripture verse. Some of us even have it posted on a wall, a doorway, or marked in our Bible. But how many of us move beyond the wall and the coffee mug and take this Scripture to heart? Ask yourself, “Will I serve the Lord? With all my heart, soul and mind?” Or are you simply giving lip-service to these words? You might need some time to sit with this in the presence of God to get at the truth. But those you know, the younger members of your family, can tell by your life.
I want to emulate that bird that faked an injury to keep predators away from her babies. May I strive, even in these latter years, to protect my family members from physical and spiritual harm demonstrating to my children, grandchildren, and those around me that Christ is important to me. May my life provide them with evidence to live for Christ themselves.
