Grandmas Do Make a Difference . . . By Helping Their Grandchildren Know God

I've been writing about how grandmas (and grandpas, too) absolutely are able to make a real, significant, and important difference in the lives of their grandchildren - they are able to point them to Jesus and they are able to regularly and faithfully pray for their grandchildren. Doing these things makes a real and significant difference in the lives of their grandchildren.

Today I am writing about two additional things we must do . . . help our grandchildren have open eyes, so they are able to identify how God works in their lives and develop a thankful heart, so they will 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, so they will 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 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 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 I am thankful for the ways 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 - this year we will have a God's Great Deeds Jar to fill with things for which we are thankful. It will help them - and me - remember all God does for us. Over time we will go back to see and remember how God answers our prayers and leave His fingerprints in our lives. We will remember!

It is true, as a grandma, I make a lasting impact on 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, and have thankful hearts, so they will 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. 

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, and have thankful hearts, so they remember God?