As grandparents, it’s not simply that “you get to spoil them and then give them back.” It’s so much more than that. ♦

This past week in the middle of that intense 9th inning of Game 7 of the World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, one grandchild turned to me and said the following,

“Grandpa, I’m changing. I’m now a Dodgers fan!”

Needless to say, I was quite pleased, even in the midst of a dire moment. Of course, my joy overflowed when the Dodgers won in extra innings.

Happiness is changing the world, one person at a time.

Our Real Grandparenting Job
Yes, influencing little people to root for your favorite team is one thing, but we all know there’s more to it than that. I’ve understood that for some time now. We really don’t fully grasp or appreciate the value and significance of being a grandparent until we experience it ourselves.

And no, it’s not simply because “you get to spoil them and then give them back.”  It’s so much more than that. For me and my wife, now with 10 grandchildren, elementary through high school ages, it was a dawning awareness coming into full view that this is a God-designed role and to be taken with full weight and depth of responsibility.

(That we actually do get to spoil them and give them back is only icing on the cake.)

The role of grandparents makes real sense when seen in the Biblical light of a Judeo/Christian worldview. Outside of that, we are simply propagating the earth.

Again, the overarching theme of the Old and New Testament was God’s love for man/creation and His plan for restoration from man’s fall. Man is instructed to believe and worship the one true God, follow His precepts and instructions, and pass them on to one’s children (see Deuteronomy 6:7).

Purposeful Grandparenting
Yes, we are to simply believe and teach our children about God, and they are to believe and teach their children about God, and they are to believe and teach their children about God. 

Period. 

Indeed there are blessings in this. Proverbs 17:6 says that “Children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”  Of course, it’s nice if they win a volleyball scholarship and become an architect or attorney along the way, but the right and purposeful plan is to have them grow up to believe and worship the one true God, follow His precepts and instructions, and pass them on to their children.

Unto many generations.

4 Essentials for Grandchildren
That being said, there are 4 key essentials for grandchildren, whatever age or gender. Ideally start this when they are young, even as infants (or even during pregnancy!). But it is really never too late. God is a forgiving and patient God of grace and mercy for all of us.

1. Pray for future belief and a hunger for God’s Word – they may believe as young ones but the goal is to have them walk closely with their God as they grow and mature in Biblical wisdom and knowledge of God’s Word.
2. Pray for their future spouse and family – God is a good Father who does not give a stone when his child asks for bread. Pray boldly for future generations through God ordained unions of future spouses and their subsequent children.
3. Model a life that honors God and His Word – while no one is perfect, show your grandchildren that you honor God and read and obey His Word. They will be watching and noticing.
4. Teach them the ways and instructions of God – read the Bible to your grandchildren, teaching God’s precepts and ways of the Lord. Don’t just leave it for Sunday School – that’s good but recent studies show it’s clearly not enough.

“Miguelito, Miguelito!” – A Grandmother’s Prayer
Here’s a powerful story about my own grandmother.

I have a vivid memory, when I was 8 years old, of visiting my Nana Lupe in Long Beach, California. Every few weeks we would visit the humble, small home of my Spanish-speaking Grandmother who spoke very little English.

This one particular day as we arrived at her house, she greeted us getting out of the car and she pinched my cheek, as she often did. She looked me straight in the eye, pointed her finger at me and said: 

“Miguelito, Miguelito! I pray for you! Everyday! I pray for you, and your wife!”

Again, I was 8 years old. I had no idea what she was talking about. But I never forgot it. Years later when my fiancé Debbie, now my wife of 46 years, met my praying grandmother, she told me that we should do this type of praying for our children someday.

We did, and still do now for them and future generations.

My grandmother started something in me that my parents did not provide. Before she died late in her 90’s I was able to thank her for her obedience, her diligence and for the impact she alone had on many coming after her.

The power of her seeding prayer manifested fruit in the lives of ultimately my whole family after I became the first believer in my immediate family at age 14. Today myself and my 3 siblings all have raised Christian families that believe in the one true God, follow His precepts and will pass them on to future generations.

This is what is essential in grandparenting. Developing little Dodger fans is only a bonus. 

Are you praying for your grandchildren and preparing the next generation? 
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“Children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. – Proverbs 17:6

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