Becoming a grandparent changes everything–especially your perspective.
Laura and I have three children and four grandchildren. When our children were growing up, much of life was about raising them, providing for them, teaching them, and preparing them for adulthood. But becoming Pop and MiMi has caused us to think more deeply about one word:
Legacy.
Psalm 71:18 expresses a prayer that increasingly speaks to my heart:
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.
There will come a day when my grandchildren will know me primarily through their memories. That makes me ask: What do I want them to remember about Pop?
I hope they remember laughter, family gatherings, and good times. I certainly hope they know how deeply Pop and MiMi loved them. But more than anything, I want them to remember that Pop loved Jesus. Here are five commitments I believe will help us become effective Christian grandparents:
5 Commitments for Christian Grandparents
- Walk faithfully with God. Our grandchildren need more than our advice. They need an example. I want mine to see that my faith is more than something I preached—it is how I lived.
- Pray consistently for them. I cannot control my grandchildren’s futures, but I can pray for their salvation, friends, decisions, future spouses, and lifelong faithfulness to Christ.
- Tell them the stories. Psalm 78 reminds us to tell the coming generation about the works of God. Our grandchildren need to hear how God saved us, provided for us, answered prayer, and carried us through difficult seasons.
- Give them your presence. Grandchildren need our time, attention, encouragement, and affection. The relationship we build today may become the bridge over which spiritual influence travels tomorrow.
- Finish well. I don’t want my best spiritual years to be behind me. I want my grandchildren to see Pop loving Jesus, reading his Bible, serving others, loving MiMi and our family, and remaining faithful all the way to the finish line.
Someday my grandchildren may have some of my possessions. They may find photographs, books, or an old Bible filled with notes. But I want to leave them something far more valuable.
I don’t simply want to leave something TO my grandchildren. By God’s grace, I want to leave something IN them.
“Dear God, please make it so!”
Stephen C. Rice 