Happy Grandparents Day to all grandparents!
The second Sunday of September is celebrated internationally as Grandparents Day. What is the challenge of the Bible to our grandparents?
First, grandparents must be grand teachers.
Deuteronomy 4:9 says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”
The Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land. In this verse we can see the responsibility of the grandparents. Because of the role of the grandparents, the third generation, those who were not in Egypt, were able to learn what God has done to save them.
Grandparents should be exemplary and worthy to be emulated. They must teach their valuable experiences especially their testimonies of what God has done for them. They also must be willing to become a parent again in case there will be absentee parents.Grandparents should be prepared to continue their ministry to their grandchildren.
Secondly, grandparents must be grand prayer warriors.
Psalm 71:17- 18 says, “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
I encourage the grandparents to fervently pray for their grandchildren not just for good health, and to be studious in their schooling but more importantly that their grandchildren may know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, and for them to have good friends.
Third, grandparents must leave a grand inheritance to their grandchildren.
Proverbs 13:22 reminds us that “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children…” This verse was specifically written for grandparents.
How will their grandchildren remember their grandparents? I was blessed to have grandparents who imparted a lot of lessons to me. They were even given by God the opportunity to see the 4th generation, our children.
Grandparents have been given by God a second chance to nurture the next generation. May they never waste this opportunity to impact young lives.
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
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September 11, 2017