Hands are Tied? Here's an Option

Do you become frustrated when you read posts like What Kind of Price Would You Pay or The Power to Do Something and say, "That's all very well said, and I wish I could, but my hands are tied"?  Let me assure you, you are not alone.

More and more Christian Grandparents are facing the frustration of having their attempts to help their grandchildren thwarted either by their children who have become parents with a totally different world view, or by the physical barrier of distance.  In my blog post:  Ways to Make a Difference I cover some of the things that can be done.  Here is something else that I feel is important.

  Whether you are unable to reach out to your grandchild because of distance or because your children resent your interference, you would probably welcome help from another grandparent who might have a better opportunity to reach your grandchild. You might have even prayed, "Lord, send someone to befriend and mentor my grandchild." I know I have. When I cannot be near, my strong desire is to know that they are being impacted by the lives of other Christians.

Now, the Bible clearly teaches that whatever we want others to do for us, we should be doing for others.  So if we want other Christians involved in our grandchildren's lives, here is our option. We should be putting this Biblical principle to work by  finding ways to make a difference in the life of someone else's grandchild.

When I was younger and my son was a baby, I started teaching Sunday School.  One night I had a dream that I will never forget.  I was holding my son and singing,
"And the hireling frowned, oh shepherd,
That sheep am all black and bad,
But the shepherd he smiled like the little black sheep,
Was the onliest lamb he had."
Only the son in my arms wasn't a baby, but an older boy much like one of the children I was working with in Sunday School. I realized then that the love I was pouring out on these boys was the kind of love that my son might someday need from someone else.

Remember, no matter what age you are, you have a priceless commodity you can give.  You have love.  You may not be able to teach a Sunday School class or run a Kid's Club program, but is there a boy or girl in your neighborhood that looks lonely?  Have you ever reached out to that child?  Just remember what you would like done for your grandchild and then do it.  Even if you never see the results in your lifetime, God will bless your efforts.

And maybe your grandchild will wander into my neighborhood some day!

To read the next post see Lord Willing
For the previous post see: A Drop of Me

A Drop of Me

I loved you way before I saw you,
The tiny speck of life you were,
Tucked away inside your mother,
Yet still a part of me for sure.

That happy day my arms received you
No greater joy could ere be mine.
My heart embraced you, priceless treasure,
And overflowed with love divine.

I thought you looked just like your father,
Yet some of Mom was there to see.
And maybe it was wishful thinking,
But I'm sure I saw a trait from me.

A wonder you are my precious grandchild.
God made you with a drop of me,
And yet you're unique, so truly special,
And I dream of what you'll some day be.

A New Point of View

Our grandson, Luke just got engaged.  They came over this morning with the news, and I was delighted.

Is there such a thing as granddaughter-in-laws?  I hope not.  That would mean I would become her grandma-in-law.   I hope I can be just Grandma even though I know she has some of those already.

It doesn't surprise me that my grandson has found such a lovely girl; I expected no less.

And now, somewhere down the distant road, I can look forward to being a great-grandma.  Does that change things?

I don't know, but I am finally beginning to see myself from a new point of view; not just as Grandma, but as a Christian matriarch, part of a Christian heritage, a name somewhere up the line of ancestors.  No matter what may happen down the line, I want future generation to be able to point to my name and say, "We are still being blessed because of the godly legacy this old grandma left us."

You might also like: Godly Heritage

For the last post see: The Old and the Young Together

The Old and the Young Together

There is something special that happens when we put the old and the young together.  Today Nathanael, Noelia, and I did our monthly visit to the retirement home.  I watched as our sweet friends shuffled out to greet them, and then settled themselves to wait with anticipation for the singing to begin. And that's when I begin to notice.

For the seniors the day has escaped its dullness.  There are smiles of delight and gentle love, and I begin to see a beauty in the worn faces, almost a reflection of the innocence of the children.

And for my grandchildren?  I watch as Nathanael puts a caring arm around one of the ladies.  He seems a little older today, a little more mature, as he gives her a tender smile.  Noelia clowns a bit for them, her way of hiding her shyness, but eventually she is ready to carry on a comfortable conversation.

They sing for their friends, and Nathanael centers out a lady who has joined in singing with us. "I noticed a fourth pair of lips moving on this song," he says.  She beams.

We can never leave without receiving gifts, though Nathanael tries to refuse.  Both of them are gradually learning to take the gifts graciously.

They run and jump as we head back home. I can tell they are happy. The money they have been given means very little to them at this point in their lives, but the warm glow they feel knowing they have made some lonely people a lot less lonely makes them feel all bubbly inside.

And I am happy, too.  My grandchildren are learning the joy of blessing others.  Some day, if I ever find myself tucked away somewhere in a nursing home, I am quite sure that my grandchildren will not forget about me.  They will want to come and bring me joy, knowing, from experience, that the joy will return on them.  And for this I am so thankful.



For the previous post, watch Nathanael and Noelia doing a video book review: Dinosaurs for Kids

To see Noelia sing, watch: I've got the Joy on the "Nathanael's Monologue" post.

Another Great Creation Book to Share with the Grandchildren - Dinosaurs for Kids

If you want to catch the attention of a child, pick up a book about dinosaurs.  If you want to help them stand strong in their faith as they face a Godless world, be discerning in your choice.  Choose a creation oriented book.

Dinosaurs for Kids by Ken Ham does a wonderful job of satisfying a child's thirst for knowledge of dinosaurs, giving lots of quick facts, while at the same time strengthening their understanding of where they came from, what happened to them, and what the bones really tell. 

Although Dinosaurs for Kids is aimed at juniors and older, I tried it out on six year old Noelia and eight year old Nathanael.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the book held their attention, and spurred their interest enough to start valuable discussions. (see Do Your Grandchildren Sometimes have Doubts ) Here is a sample of what they got out of it. (Noelia gives her own perspective, not necessarily what the book said.)


Dinosaurs for Kids by Ken Ham is published by Master Books.  You can find more information or purchase the book at New Leaf Publishing Group - Dinosaurs for Kids 


Or for Amazon's deals click here:    Dinosaurs for Kids





For more video book reviews by Nathanael and Noelia see Life in the Great Ice Age and Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate


For the previous post see: Grandparents to Dogs?

Grandparent to Dogs??

Having grandchildren is undeniably a blessing, but having granddogs? What can I say?

Three of our children have dogs, and they are important members of their families.  I have written about the importance of building a relationship with the grandchildren.  Is it necessary to love the dogs as well? For the sake of our children I believe it is.

Fortunately for Bruce and I, we love animals.  It is not so important for the two families with kids, but our daughter, Samantha is not married, has no children, and therefore her miniture Poodle, Remi is her family.  We spend a lot of time with Nathanael and Noelia, we are always available for our older grandchildren, it would be unfair to ignore Remi.

That is why it is a blessing that we love the little dog.  He is every bit as happy to see us as Noelia or Nathanael would be, and feels just as much a part of the family.  And when Samantha needs to go away and has no place else to leave her baby, we are the dog sitters.  We have very little choice.

Even now, when Bruce is sick and I have a sprained ankle, we make a way.  And maybe it is God's way of giving Bruce the fresh air and exercise he needs to get well and gain strength again.

So we will thank God for our "granddog," Remi,  and for Lily and Cookie, too.

For the previous post see: Great Book for teaching Purity (video book review by Nathanael and Noelia)

For the next post see: Dinosaurs for Kids