One day children were brought to Jesus in the hope that he would lay hands on them and pray over them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus intervened: "Let the children alone, don't prevent them from coming to me. God's kingdom is made up of people like these." After laying hands on them, he left.Some days children are brought to grandparents in the hope that they will play and pray with them,
And give the parents a break.Sometimes Busy shoos them off. But wise grandparents intervene: "Let the children come to us. We have time and energy and prayers and popsicles."
God's kingdom is made up of experiences like these.We wrap our arms around them before they leave and give kisses that are uniquely ours.
We are respite, we are breathing room, we are extra time and energy and love, we are additions when the world seems only to subtract. In the exquisite root system of love, we are the deepest roots of all, since our children are offshoots of ours.
How do we serve best in this gift-giving arena?
How do we develop a culture of grandparenting that brings joy and relief, and a memorable and life-changing aroma of Jesus?
If you don't have grandchildren, whose children can you grandly help parent?
The fabric of adults who impact children has a wealth of color and texture and pattern. Over a couple of days we'll think about our value, our preparation, our unique aroma of Jesus love as the grandparenting portion of the fabric.
We'll weave a few thoughts on whom, perhaps, God created us to be.
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
