Seeing Our Grandchildren As God Does

There is more to being a grandparent than just fun and games.

Sure, for those of us carrying out the role in its most-traditional sense, there is less pressure. For instance, this time around we are not the ones responsible for daily care and provision, school grades and homework, extra-curricular schedules and practices, or consistent bedtime routines like we were when we were parents.

However, even though the pressure is less and the responsibility different, we must take the utmost care to keep from falling into the trap that fun and games is our sole responsibility.

Beyond the Fun and Games

God’s design for our role is that we pass a heritage of faith to our grandchildren (Proverbs 13:22). To do that, we must be involved, and being involved can be scary.

We know the stakes, now, more than ever. Wanting our grandchildren to turn out well, we can easily get our focus on the things we see in them that, in our opinion, need to change.

In fact, if we are not careful, we can get to the place where we define our grandchildren by what needs to change. When our aim should be to encourage them and affirm them for the characteristics of Christ they already exhibit.

Taking a Cue from the Apostle Paul

When it comes to interactions with our grandchildren, we would do well to adopt the attitude of Paul. As we read his letters and follow his missionary journeys, we note that he dealt with churches full of people steeped in every conceivable manner of sin. Yet, in each of his letters he is an encourager, noticing the good.

Consider his letter to the Romans. Among other things, it warned against arrogance (Romans 11:18), admonished against judging others (14:4), and exhorted the acceptance of one another (15:7).

Yet, after addressing all the sin within their body, he says, “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another” (Romans 15:14).

Paul did not allow the weakness of the people within the church at Rome to define them. Rather, he addressed the weaknesses and then defined the church by God’s grace.  He continually affirms the commendable even in the face of weakness – in this church as well as others.

Application for Grandparents

Paul was an affirmer – exceptional at beckoning people to stretch and grow by commending them for the godly characteristics he observed in their lives.

As we grandparent, we need the heart and eyes of Paul.

Not laser-focused on the weaknesses of our grandchildren, seeing nothing else.

Instead, able to identify and call out the weaknesses, while defining our grandchildren by the grace of God.  

And to do that, we must, ourselves, become affirmers – watching for the Christ-like characteristics exhibited by our grandchildren, ready and faithful to commend.

Give a Blessing (Biblical Grandparenting) (Book 2)

$7.99

Give a Blessing details one of the spiritual practices grandparents can employ as we work to carry out our role. This book helps the reader gain a better understanding of three forms of blessing — encouragement, affirmation, and bestowing a blessing. Tips, ideas, and other helpful resources for implementing these powerful “blessing” tools are also included in the book.

Available at amazon.com.