Monday, October 23, 2017

Initial Reflections on Being a Grandparent

My parents received a double blessing.  They were gifted with 14 grandchildren from their four kids.  Seven is the number of completion and I think you get my drift—they received double!   In both cases they were the kids from their nuclear families who ended up with the most grandchildren, of course not related at all to any of their own doing but a double blessing nonetheless.  The LORD gave me four beautiful kids and I am thankful for each one of them.  I can’t see into the future and I don’t know how many grandkids will grace my world but the one so far is a great blessing.  I became a grandparent at age 53 and it seemed like I was too young for that to be happening.  Even so I have friends who have had grandchildren at a younger age.  So, obviously I don’t get to choose when that happens.  It’s part of receiving gifts that are granted by a source and power greater than me.  I am the recipient and thankful indeed.

Looking ahead I have three hopes for my precious granddaughter, Eloise Grace, and any others who may follow after her.  First, I want her to know the LORD.  I have prayed for her and will continue to do so but nothing is more important to me than that fact. I want her to be proud of my work as a minister and I hope it is a heritage in which she can feel deep pride.  Second, I want her to be well educated.  Going to college would be an assumption but only time will tell since that is not for everyone.  Either way, I want her to be well read, educated, and a young woman who serves God and contributes greatly to the world.  Thirdly, I hope that she be raised in a strong, stable, hardworking family where she learns good values.  I want her to be secure and know that I love her and all of her grandparents love her.  I want her to have a solid circle of love.  So, I don’t think this is asking for too much.  It’s a simple list and life is sometimes anything but simple.  Yet, maybe it’s the basic, simple things that matter most.

The “grandparenting” world is new and opening up to me. I don’t even have an official name yet.  I am waiting on that too.  So, it feels good to join the “grandparent” club.  I know it is by God’s grace and that is for sure. 



No comments:

Post a Comment