The Blessing of Grandparents

This past Sunday was National Grandparents Day. So I called my parents to wish them a Happy Grandparents Day! My Mom answered the phone and was mildly happy to hear from me 🙂. But when I handed the phone to my daughters, I could hear my Mom's voice and energy pick up significantly. Clearly she was more excited to talk to them than to me. I guess that's the way it's supposed to be. For me, growing up, it was always a special thing to see my grandparents since they lived so far away from us in Hawaii. But whenever we did, my brother and I could tell they were happy to see us and we were happy to see them (and not just because they spoiled us). Sound familiar?      

Grandparents are a special breed. There is nothing like the love and adoration of a grandparent for his or her grandchildren. It is a special relationship often filled with joy and blessing. I think we know this to be true across families, tribes, clans, and cultures of every kind because God has made it this way. First off, the Bible says being a grandparent is a tremendous blessing because God has given children to a family to bless them. Proverbs 17:6 says “Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 16:31 says “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Now that I have children, I can imagine what a blessing it would be someday to know their children.

I think grandparents are blessed to be a blessing! They are to love and embrace their grandchildren. They are to share laughter, love, and stories with them, to enjoy them (and to spoil them too I suppose). It's said that a "grandma’s love feels like no one else’s" and that "a grandparent has silver in their hair and gold in their heart." Our grandparents and seniors at West Covina Christian Church certainly do. But the job of the godly grandparent doesn't end there. We understand from scripture, it is also to teach younger generations about God's faithfulness and help nurture children who will love and serve the Lord. And though age and health may restrict one's activity over time, grandparents can always care for their grandchildren by praying for them. 

At West Covina Christian Church, we are blessed to have many grandmothers, grandfathers, and seniors in our midst. We thank the Lord for them and the role they play in showing us God's love and care within our church family. We bless and honor them! It's beautiful how God promises in scripture to love and sustain our grandparents and seniors. In Isaiah 46:4, it says "even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." God bless our grandparents!