WELCOME THE LITTLE ONES

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes me… If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.” Mark 9:37,42

In his book “Too Small To Be Ignored”, Wess Stafford, President of Compassion International speaks passionately out of his own personal experience about the power an unkind word or a single act of cruelty and abuse has to destroy or seriously damage a young life. Facing the wrath of the boarding school superintendent because he had begged his mother not to send him back to a place that beat him and the other kids incessantly, young Wesley was now call to the front in a “special meeting” and told to stand on a chair facing his classmates.

“’Let me introduce you to Satan’s favorite tool,’ Mr. Edwards began. I looked up in shock. I felt my bowels begin to quiver. ‘Wesley has decided to serve Satan. He told his mother about what happens here, and now she is not able to do her important work here on the mission field. Satan has won,’ the man continued. ‘He used Wesley, and now there will be Africans in hell because of this boy you see standing before you.’” (I urge you to read the book for the rest of the story!)

Our Lord made it very clear how seriously God takes any act or words that would cause the little ones to sin. If we fear God, we will heed this warning with all our being. And if we take delight in that which God delights in, then we will compassionately welcome and bless these who are so precious to God. And we will do so, not only with our own grandchildren, but with all the children in our sphere of influence. To do so, is to do it unto our Lord.

FANNING THE FLAME
What do you see when you see the children of our world, not just your own grandchildren? Do you see the hunger for love and value? Do see children being taken captive by the Enemy through the empty deceptions of worldly attractions and religious hypocrisy? Do you see the children the way Jesus sees them and do you respond with the same indignation when you see them hindered from coming to Him?

Take the lead in your church to be the hands and voice of Jesus for the children. CGN can help organize an inter-generational retreat for parents, grandparents and grandchildren to talk about some of these issues. Choose to play in the game and not sit on the sideline. This is the final quarter, and it’s no time to head for the locker room.

GRANDPAUSE: “The only thing more painful than obedience is disobedience.” — Unknown

A Time For Everything

Time is like a coin God has given me to spend. I determine how it will be spent, but if I am not careful, I will come to the end of the day, and eventually, the end of my life, only to discover the coins are gone without much to show for them. Wisdom knows that it’s not just a matter of spending, but spending at the right time for the right thing – kind of like climbing up in someone’s lap and just helping them cry.

As wise grandparents, we all want our grandkids to know the value and preciousness of this gift called TIME. What are some things you do as a grandparent to communicate the importance of wisely using time?   Do you take time for some “crazy” time stuff?  After all, not every moment has to be a “teachable moment”, you know — or does it?

EXTREME GRANDPARENTING

Extreme living stands in contrast to Popeye’s view of life that says “I yam what I yam”. Extreme living requires us to grow and become ALL that “I yam” toward that special purpose to which God has called us–to live faithfully right to the end. It is the kind of living that neither gives up, nor tries to be what we are not. It is life with purpose, perseverance and hope in the One who gave us life. It is extreme in its devotion to the One who has called us.

Sometimes our grandchildren see life as having as much fun as possible for as long as possible with little thought of God or His plans for their life (sound vaguely familiar?). As a grandparent, what are you doing to teach your grandchildren that fun means more than being constantly entertained? What kind of things do you do to show them that a really fun time can be rich with substance and service? What have you found that worked for you with your grandchildren?

GRANDPARENTS & HEALTHY FAMILIES

Healthy families don’t happen without intentional effort. They require lots of work and deliberate action. God’s Word suggests that healthy families – in fact, healthy relationships in general – are the product of correct assumptions about God and ourselves that direct the way we live and relate. Healthy, stable families live beyond themselves. Two characteristics particularly stand out in such families:

1) God-fearing (Dt. 6:1-2): Living in the context of a biblical high view of God and who we are as His creation!
2) Humble (Phil. 2:4): Living with a view to the interest of others beyond our own.

No matter what has happened in the past, grandparentS are in unique position to build a legacy for a healthy family. Modeling what it means to know God intimately and correctly will help your grandchildren understand that the world does not revolve around them. Healthy families love God wholeheartedly and love each other unconditionally. Grandparents have the power to lead them on the path of a long and healthy life.

What do you think? What have you learned in this process you can share with other grandparents?

Cavin Harper, CGN