GRANDMOTHERS – SPIRITUAL ROLE MODELS

Isn’t it interesting that nowhere in the Bible does it say that the church has the primary responsibility to pass on our faith to the next generation? It makes clear that parents and grandparents are the principal conduits to instruct their children and grandchildren about God and his love for them. 

Many grandmothers are greatly concerned that their children are not passing on the values and faith they were raised in. Therefore, grandmothers have a crucial role to fill if faith is to be found on earth when Jesus comes back for his own. The demonstration of a faithful walk with the Lord and praying for our grandchildren is a powerful way to pass on the love of Christ to the next generation. 

Grandmother’s Role

The role of a godly grandmother is to communicate their faith in Jesus Christ and pray diligently for their grandchildren. We are also to tell future generations how God has walked with us and demonstrated his mighty works in our lives. God is waiting for us to ask Him for opportunities if we are overwhelmed with how to be a godly influence on our grandchildren. God has given us the responsibility and power to set a positive example. We do affect our grandchildren one way or another, positively or negatively. 

In Proverbs 27:19, we read, “As a face is reflected in water, the heart reflects the real person” (NLT). What does the reflection of our “real person” look like? When we commit to reading and meditating on God’s Word, we reflect on a life transformed into his image. As we invest in our walk with the Lord, we are spiritually investing in the lives of our grandchildren by modeling a godly example. As spiritual role models, we demonstrate the reality of our faith by walking with God through both the stormy and sunny days of our lives.

Grandmother’s Prayers

Grandmothers love to give gifts to our grandchildren. However, the most significant and lasting gift we can give them is to be their prayer intercessor, affecting and imprinting their generation with God’s faithfulness. The material things we leave our grandchildren are temporary; however, our prayers and examples can significantly impact them for a lifetime. Our greatest blessings will come when we observe the results of our answers to prayer in the lives of our grandchildren. Even though we may go to heaven before God answers our prayers, our prayers will be deposits in their spiritual trust fund.

With the pressure on families today, grandchildren need our hugs, reassurance, and wisdom. It is also imperative for us to communicate to our grandchildren our love for them and accept them, even though we may not accept their behavior. In today’s broken world, Satan’s purpose is to destroy the family. We must pray God will give the mothers and fathers of our dear grandchildren godly wisdom in the monumental task of teaching and guiding them in the ways of the Lord. 

Do your grandchildren see authenticity and sincerity about you in your relationship with God? What a blessing it would be for me to hear my grandchildren say, “I want to have a relationship with the Lord like my grandmother modeled for me.” In the years to come, I hope to say, “I have no greater joy than hearing that my children and grandchildren are walking in the truth” (3 John 1:4).

Ask yourself:

•     What memories will my grandchildren have of me when I pass away?

•     Is my walk with the Lord what I want to reflect in my grandchildren’s lives.

•     Do I want my grandchildren to imitate my spiritual life?

•     Will they want my Jesus?

•     Will my love for God live on through my grandchildren, even after I am deceased?

Prayer

Dear Lord, forgive me when I have not taken the time to be in your Word or modeled the life of a godly grandparent. 

Help me to take the time to read and meditate on your Word every day so I will reflect on Your face in the heart of my grandchildren.

 Help me to be a godly example, teaching my grandchildren to live lives of truth with integrity, authenticity, and seriousness.

 Help me give sound, wise, wholesome counsel and guidance, encouraging my grandchildren to know and follow Christ wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Have a blessed Mother’s Day and Grandmother’s Day,

Lillian Penner, Prayer Director for Christian Grandparenting Network, http://lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net.