Let's Grandparent on Purpose!

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm part of a group who will be working with churches to help them engage, equip and encourage grandparents to pass on a heritage of faith to their grandchildren. If you have been reading About the Children's Department, you know this is something I care very much about.

Tuesday, as we met, Dr. Tim Kimmel spoke to us about a vision for grandparenting ministry. One thing he said really stood out to me; he said, "We can not afford to grandparent by accident." He is correct.

We can not afford to grandparent by accident. We have to be focused. We have to be intentional. We have to be people who pray and pray throughout each day for our grandchildren. The price is too high if we do not pass on a heritage of faith to our grandchildren; it is a price I'm not willing to pay in regards to my grandsons.

Tim went on to say the average age of the first-time grandparent is 47 and most of us live to be a least 78 years old. This means we have at least 30 years to grandparent on-purpose! As grandparents we get a "second chance" to make a difference in the lives of children we love . . . let's be focused! Let's be intentional! Let's grandparent our grandchildren with grace - treat them the way God treats us!

I'll write more about what Tim said tomorrow, but I do want to share with you one other thing he said; "Grandchildren are God's reward to us for not selling our children on Craig's List!" I thought this might make you smile!