Pure joy! A most apt description of grandchildren now that I have them. So many people, friends and strangers alike, told me how wonderful this tertiary generation would prove to be but before they came into the world, before I held them and knew them, I simply could not comprehend. The capacity of my heart for love is enlarged exponentially and irreversibly. I should not be surprised as my capacity for love stems from the One who is Love Himself. (I John 4:8)
“We love each other because he loved us first.”
1 John 4:19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1jn.4.19.NLT
“Our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us.”
1 John 4:19 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/1jn.4.19.TPT
I take every opportunity to share God’s love through His Word in stories and songs with my grandchildren as I once did with my own children. Their capacity to learn through repetition as infants and toddlers is incredible! Thomas asks to read the same story multiple times and Amelia’s face lights up when she hears the cadence of familiar songs, blessings, and stories. They are soaking up knowledge like little sponges and the foundation we provide for them will help them to understand and receive the love of God in time.
“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully.
Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Ephesians 3:19 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.3.19.NLT
Amelia’s favorite book is an adaptation of Psalm 139 by Melissa Heiland entitled You Are Wonderful, Psalm 139 for Children. (You Are Wonderful – Board Book: Melissa Heiland: 9781619708761 – Christianbook.com)
“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!”
Psalms 139:1-6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.139.6.NLT
Psalms are histories of God’s faithfulness to and provision for the nation of Israel and were learned by repetition in much the same fashion and for the same reason I teach my little ones. Fifteen Psalms of ascent prepared the hearts of pilgrims making their way to Jerusalem for prescribed worship festivals. As a boy, I’m sure Jesus sang them along with Mary and Joseph on their pilgrimages, including the one where Jesus stayed behind at the temple. Young Jesus possibly even helped teach His younger siblings the words when they melded sounds uncomprehendingly like my younger cousin.
“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.
And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”
Psalms 126:2-3 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.126.2-3.NLT
“How joyful are those who fear the Lord— all who follow his ways!
You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
How joyful and prosperous you will be!
Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home.
Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table.
That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear him.
May you live to enjoy your grandchildren.
May Israel have peace!”
Psalms 128:1-4, 6 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.128.1-6.NLT
We need to rehearse the faithfulness of God so that we keep our hearts and minds set on things above. (Colossians 3:1-2) Our children and grandchildren also need to hear us tell of the love and faithfulness of God so that they understand the reason for our convictions. We cannot change the world by keeping our faith a secret. We have been entrusted with the mysteries of God. (I Corinthians 2:7-10)
“For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.
Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.”
Hebrews 13:14-15 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/heb.13.14-15.NLT
As Paul said to Timothy, his son in the faith:
“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice.
And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”
2 Timothy 1:5 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.1.5.NLT
“You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses.
Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
2 Timothy 2:2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2ti.2.2.NLT
Even if you are unmarried, whether or not you have children of your own, you are not exempt from God’s great commission. (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15) Abraham and Sarah had one child in their old age, Isaac, yet Abraham became the father of many nations. Paul never married yet he refers to Timothy, Titus, and Onesimus as his true sons because of their shared faith in Jesus. I am blessed with three biological children, three more by marriage and two precious grandchildren to date, but I have lost count of my sons and daughters in the faith and the number of those even younger that I now count as grandchildren because of our shared faith in Jesus.
“In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.
So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.”
Galatians 3:6-7, 9 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/gal.3.6-9.NLT
You have sons and daughters in the faith too, simply because you follow Christ and choose to acknowledge Him before the world. You may not think of yourself as a parent or even a mentor, but I guarantee you are blessed with more children in the faith than you realize. These, your brothers and sisters in Christ, share your faith in Jesus and have grown closer in their personal relationship with Him because of your faithful example, your willingness to be vulnerable, or even your accountability. Look around and see. Who is following you as you follow Christ? (I Corinthians 11:1) Who could you be pointing to Jesus?
On the night Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, He said, “I have given you an example to follow.
Do as I have done to you.”
John 13:15 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.13.15.NLT
“For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you.
He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”
1 Peter 2:21 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/1pe.2.21.NLT
“Then Jesus told them a story.
He said, “Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them.
Won’t he leave the 99 in the open country?
Won’t he go and look for the one lost sheep until he finds it?
When he finds it, he will joyfully put it on his shoulders and go home.
Then he will call his friends and neighbors together.
He will say, ‘Be joyful with me. I have found my lost sheep.’
I tell you, it will be the same in heaven.
There will be great joy when one sinner turns away from sin.
Yes, there will be more joy than for 99 godly people who do not need to turn away from their sins.”
Luke 15:3-7 NIRV
https://bible.com/bible/110/luk.15.4-7.NIRV
“It is the greatest joy of my life to hear that my children are consistently living their lives in the ways of truth!”
3 John 1:4 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/3jn.1.4.TPT
Be bold. When your words and actions acknowledge the Lordship of Christ, you can say with the apostle Paul,
“Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 11:1 NIRV
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