The glory of grandparenting

Pastor Mark Jeske

Grandparenting is great. (Full disclosure: I do not know that from personal experience. I base that assertion on the empirical evidence of the many hundreds of grandparents I know who can barely control their delight at having a chance to be with their grandchildren.)

Grandparents pack their refrigerator door with pictures of their grandkids. They remember every birthday and will send cards and gifts. They will drop what they’re doing when a grandbaby is born and spend a week helping out the new parents. They will provide respite childcare to give the frazzled parents a breather. If they live reasonably close, they may watch the toddlers one or two days a week to lighten the cost of childcare.

“Children’s children are a crown to the aged” (Proverbs 17:6). They really are. Grandchildren make us oldsters feel young again. How we miss our own children’s youthful energy, shrieks of laughter, simplicity of spirit, emotional honesty, and eagerness to learn. Just think how much priceless wisdom jumps across two generations when kids spend time with grandparents.

I will always remember my maternal grandmother. She never was given an education higher than seventh grade; she never operated a motor vehicle, went to the beauty shop, had a mani-pedi, or wore a pair of slacks in her life. But I consider her one of the strongest influences in my life. She made time for me.

She made me feel important. You know, like one of her crowns.

Devotion used by permission of Time of Grace®. For more information, visit timeofgrace.org