What does your Grandparenting look like?

Grandparenting looks different to many grandparents. In some cases, grandchildren live with their grandparents, some live near their grandparents and some live many miles away, even across the ocean. Our grandchildren’s parents may be spiritually rebellious or neglectful of their spiritual lives, failing to make time to read God’s Word, pray or regularly fellowship with other believers a part of their routine. However, even if our grandchildren’s parents have a strong established Christian home, busy schedules, jobs, parenting and all the distractions of today’s world conspire to distract or destroy the family.

Many grandparents have broken hearts because their precious grandchildren are not learning about the love of Jesus; some have been estranged from their grandchildren. Long distance grandparents find it difficult to be a part of the lives of their grandchildren. Although today we do have many more resources to connect with them than we did years ago. Today, resources such as Face time, Skype; cell phones, texting, email, videos, and others can be used for grandparenting.

This past weekend I attended a women’s conference the keynote speaker spoke on the subject of “Courage”, courage to be a woman of God in the world we live in today from the first chapter of Joshua. Joshua was afraid when the Lord told him that Moses was dead and he was going to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. However, the Lord said, “Be strong and courageous, be careful to obey my law, do not turn from the right or left of it, meditate on it day and night. Then you will be successful . . . .Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” [1]

Grandparents are often overwhelmed and discouraged about how to grandparent in today’s ungodly culture. Just as Joshua was afraid when the Lord gave him the assignment to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land grandparents are struggling how to reach out to their grandchildren in our technological age. I believe these words to Joshua “Be courageous” applies to grandparents today who are struggling with grandparenting in a broken world.

I find there is a requirement in those verses for me to spend time in Good’s Word, be careful to obey God’s Word, holding fast to the truth, and meditating on it. If I am spending time with the Lord consistently I will be able to trust Him with the heavy burdens on my heart. I will be able to ask the Holy Spirit to make intercession when I don’t know how to pray for the grandchild who is breaking my heart.[2] God’s Word gives me courage, which comes from knowing God, trusting Him to work in the hearts of my grandchildren. I pray intentionally for my grandchildren to experience the reality of a relationship with Jesus and live the adventure of walking with Him.

I had to ask myself the following questions after hearing this message from Joshua. I hope you will ask yourself these questions, also.

“Am I a courageous woman/man of God?

Am I a courageous Godly grandparent?”

Do I nourish my spiritual life with God’s Word consistently so I can nourish my grandchildren spiritually?

Do I pray intentionally for the spiritual well being of my grandchildren?

Do my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren see what it looks like to walk with Jesus from my life?”

Courageous Godly Grandparents will invest in their own spiritual life to be able to lead their grandchildren into a loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

By Lillian Penner, Co-Director of the Prayer Ministry of Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

[1] Joshua 1:7-9

[2] Romans 8:26