His children and mine
Today as I was talking to a friend I haven’t seen in a long time she announced she is going to be a grandmother for the first time. I congratulated her, asked “when is the baby due?” and said “it (being a grandparent) is the best.” With a slightly disbelieving look she commented “everyone says that.” I nodded in agreement and then added “I didn’t believe people either. I mean I had been a mom, an aunt and a teacher for years but you know I haven’t figured out which part of grandparenting is the best– the actual grandchild or watching your child parent.” I am not an expert grandmother. I have only one grandson and he is 15 months old so I haven’t been doing this grandparent role for that long. As a newbie Grammy I get such joy watching my daughter and son-in-law parent my grandson. Before I had a grandchild I had a glimpse of that joy watching my siblings with their children or my former students with their children. To me seeing someone I cared for, care for a little one is a beautiful thing to witness.
In pondering that further I wonder how God feels when He observes His children caring for their children. It has been said that God doesn’t have grandchildren which is true because we each have to personally chose to have a relationship with Him. So we are all children. If you would allow me as a grandmother to offer the following thought. If I, who love in an imperfect way, am thrilled to watch my daughter love and care for her child how much more thrilled must God be when He sees His children care for His children.
“Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others…
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[c] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:1-4 & 12 -18
School begins soon and in some places it as already started. Let’s remember to pray for His children. The grown children that are also called moms, dads, grandparents, teachers, educators and the little children that are called His lambs. Let’s be diligent in “telling the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
“My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
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.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.” Psalm 78:1-7
PS – I am going to be a grandmother again next March. 🙂
Congratulation on becoming a grandmother for the second time in March.
Thank you 🙂