A Grandparent's Legacy of Faith

As I anticipated the birth of my first grandbaby my pondering began. I became curious to see if the Bible had any instructions regarding a grandparent’s role.

I found out the Bible has a lot to say about it!

What I found caused me to rethink the spoiling role society often places on grandparents.

I found God gives me the role of passing on a legacy of faith. Obeying God’s Word must be apart of that. So, I shouldn’t say yes to everything my grandchildren want. I should instead teach them that when God says no we listen. So… I’m the grandma that says, “listen to your mom and dad. Mommy and Daddy said no- Mimi says no too.” Got to teach them to obey their parents.

Don’t get me wrong I indulge my grandchildren in many ways. We turn baby baths into water tables and the bathroom turns into an all day water play zone. My granddaughter gets to sit next to Mimi and drink out of my glass cup. I don’t stop my grandbaby when she plunges her hand in my cup to pull out a cube of ice. We giggle when she blows milk bubbles. I read her extra stories before putting her to bed. And.. I say yes to most anything that I can.

One role of grandparents is discipleship. Through prayer, sharing of Scriptures , telling their testimony, and speaking of the great things they have seen the Lord do a legacy of faith is built.

My role is back up support for the parents. I am blessed that my daughter and her husband follow after God and desire that for their children. If that were not the case my actions would be different. Prayer, love, and service in action would be my approach if their parents were not believers. I’d choose to honor and help my children and trust God to work on their hearts.

2 Timothy 1:5

“I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Deuteronomy 4:9

“Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”

Psalm 78:4

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done.”