Grandparents Can Make a Difference . . . By Helping Their Grandchildren Know God

I’ve been writing about how grandparents absolutely can make a real, significant and important difference in the lives of their grandchildren – they can point them to Jesus and they can regularly and faithfully pray for their grandchildren. Doing these things absolutely makes a real and significant difference in the lives of their grandchildren. Today I want to write about another thing we must do . . . help our grandchildren have open eyes so they are able to identify how God works in their lives, develop a thankful heart and remember all He has done for them.

Throughout the Old Testament we see how generations of Israelites grew up who did not know God or remember what He did for them. When this happened, they fell away and no longer followed God.  Just a casual look at the world around us shows how this is happening once again – generations have come along where they do not know God or remember all He has done for them.

I want my grandchildren to know God. I want them to have open eyes, so they are able to identify how He works in their lives. I want them to have thankful hearts and I want them to remember all God does for them – which is an essential part of them having thankful hearts. So, I’m going to share with you some of the things I’m doing with my grandsons to help them with these things . . .

1.      I want my grandchildren to know God – I am intentional about sharing with them how God is working in my life. I want them to see their grandma knows God. We read God’s Word together. We talk about how God shows Himself in His Word and in the world around us.  

2.      I want my grandsons to have open eyes so they are able to identify how God works in their lives – I regularly and intentionally share how God is working in my life and ask them how He is showing His fingerprints (or footprints as my five-year old grandson calls them) in their lives. I want them to know God works in our lives and I want them to have eyes which are open, looking for how He is doing so.

3.      I want my grandchildren to have thankful hearts – I ask my grandsons every time they are at my house about the things for which they are thankful. We all share at meals the things for which we are thankful. I share with them how God has blessed my life in the past and how He continues to do so today.

4.      I want my grandsons to remember all God does for them – I have my grandsons keep a prayer journal where they draw and/or write their prayer requests, how God answers and the things for which they are thankful. I do the same. These journals help them – and me – remember all God does for us! Even my three-year old grandson who can not write, can draw . . . or at least scribble and I can write about his drawing! Over time we go back to see and remember how God answers our prayers and leaves His fingerprints, and footprints, in our lives. We remember!

It is true, as a grandparent, I will make a lasting impact in and on the lives of my grandchildren. I want my impact to be one which helps them know God, have open eyes to see all He does in their lives, have thankful hearts and remember God. These things are essential for them if they are going to be people who love, know and walk with God . . . and there is nothing more important to me. So, I am an intentional Christian grandparent. I am intentional about passing on a heritage of faith . . . tomorrow I’ll write about being an intentional Christian grandparent and share with you the Legacy Coalition Intentional Christian Grandparent’s Pledge.

What do you do to make a lasting impact in the lives of your grandchildren which helps them know God, have open eyes to see all he does for them, have thankful hearts and remember God?