In Praise of Grandparents

2 Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also”

One of the positive consequences of most people living longer these days, is the opportunity for children to get to know their grandparents, and for grandparents to get to know their grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.  Writing in Focus on the Family Magazine, Jay Kesler presented this probing assessment of children’s need for grandparents: “Young Timothy needed the strong spiritual roots provided by his mother and grandmother. And young people today, facing those same tensions, need Godly parents and grandparents to help their roots go deep so that they might withstand the storms of everyday life. To meet that need, God, in His divine wisdom, ordained that each child should have six adults to provide care and backup.  I’m making a passionate call for a recommitment to Christian grandparents.” 

Of course, all children may not have both sets of grandparents alive today, and even if they are alive, they may not want to be much involved in the lives of their grandchildren, which would be a shame.  However, for those of us who are grandparents, especially Christian grandparents, let us endeavour to love them, enjoy them, bless them and be the best example to them of what it means to be faithful to God, and to each other as husbands and wives. 

Charles Haddon Spurgeon went to live with his grandparents when he was just one year old. His grandfather James was a Pastor, and a great preacher. He had a big influence over Charles life. Grandmother Spurgeon, sat by the fire, with the bible in her lap, speaking of the Lord. She taught him many lessons, and she was good-hearted and kind. The old couple’s grandparenting ministry became the most important thing they ever did for the Lord, for it produced England’s greatest preacher.

Later, C.H.Spurgeon wrote, “I beseech you, my venerable friends, try to be of a happy temperament and cheerful spirit, for a child will run away from a surly old man; but there is not a child in the world but loves his grandpapa, if he is cheerful and happy.”

Proverbs 17:6 (NIV) “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

Deut.4:9 “….and teach them to your children and your grandchildren.”

Elizabeth Faye - ‘The nicest possible place to hear a story is on your grandmother’s lap.’

‘Grandparents are meant for kisses and hugs. For watching rainbows and catching bugs. For baking all your favourite things. For books to read and songs to sing.’ Anonymous

- Pastor David Goudy