“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green”—Psalm 92:14 (NIV).
When my oldest son, who is now 41, was born, my mother put a bumper sticker on her car. The words on the sticker, “If we’d known how much fun grandkids were, we’d had them first,” kind of hurt my feelings at the time.
Then, when I became a grandmother in 2004, I understood what my mother meant. Grandchildren are a blessing as we grow older.
I recall attending a family funeral with my sons and grandchildren. The funeral was for a nephew, 32, who was killed in a car accident. He was the only biological child of his father. My nephew left behind a 12-year-old son who looks just like him. My heart ached, not only for the parents of my nephew, but for his son. I know the grandson will be a comfort to his grandparents in the coming days and years.
While attending the funeral, my then 4-year-old grandson grew weary and wanted me to hold him. He fell asleep but awoke when a 12-minute video highlighting my nephew’s life through photos was shown. As Cash watched the video, I told him about my nephew and said, “Do you know he was your second cousin and what happened to him?” Cash nodded, and then said, “He’s in heaven with Jesus and Moses and the dinosaurs.”
My heart was filled with a grandparent’s joy because, even at 4-years-old, Cash understands to a certain extent where a Christian goes when he leaves this earthly home. When my grandchildren are with me, I always find an opportunity to talk to them about God and Jesus. I’ve also taken them to church and Vacation Bible School with me when they are in town and staying with me. I know that Cash’s maternal grandmother and great-grandmother do the same.
In 2 Timothy 1:5, Paul writes to the young man, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”
Reading this scripture reminds me of the influence a praying grandmother can have on her grandchildren. Recently, I revealed a “secret” to my grandchildren. I have inserted in my Bible a photo of each child. Why? Because during my early morning time with God, their faces remind me of how much they need to be covered in prayer.
I hold the photos of each one in my hand as I pray for them. When I showed my grandchildren, they didn’t say much at the time, but they smiled, from ear-to-ear, I might add. Since then, Brennan and Cash, my two youngest grandsons, have mentioned my “secret” to their parents and other grandparents while I was present. It’s no longer a secret—and that’s okay.
We shouldn’t keep our faith a secret. We must pray for our children and grandchildren until, as parents and grandparents, we draw our last breath. Psalm 92:14 tells us, “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.”
Are you a praying grandparent?
I fall short of praying for them like I should. I will put pictures in my Bible as well. Thank you for all you do…….Karen
Thank you, Karen, for your encouragement. I am able to do what I do with God’s grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I am truly humbled that God allows me to use my love of the Lord and my writing gift for His glory. Keep praying for those precious grandchildren.
Thank you, Carol, for a great article….I loved the verse in Psalm 92! Grandchildren are truly a gift from God….and in my case, great-grandchildren are just more of the same blessing!
Thank you, Linda, for your encouragement and sharing this article with others. If we really want to make a difference in our grandchildren’s lives, prayer is the answer. Keep praying for those precious grands and great-grands. Love you, Miss Linda.
I love being a grandma. My grandson’s remind me of the great love of my husband. I have been a widow for 20 years and these little boys are such a blessing to my sometimes lonely heart. Plus..they keep me young!
Yes, Beth, I agree. Grandchildren are such a blessing, especially as we grow older. Thank you for subscribing to my weekly column. God bless you and your grandsons.