Grandparenting with Wisdom

“How will I respond? What will I say if she confides in me today?”

Grandparents so often find themselves in a place of questioning. Their questions sometimes have to do with understanding the role of a grandparent as it was designed by God. Other times their questions may be related to carrying out that role or building deeper relationships with their grandchildren. Still there are times when a grandparent’s questions are about the spiritual state of their grandchildren.

Other Sources of a Grandparent’s Questions

There are times when a grandparent’s questions arise because they have a strong, supportive relationship with their adult children – one where the two generations share together, work together, and pray together in discipling their children/grandchildren – and their children have already privately shared a situation.

On the other hand, sometimes a grandparent’s questions arise because they have a deep relationship with their grandchild and have earned the right to be trusted and confided in.

And then there are times when both of these reasons are at work. The parent has shared, asked you to pray, and sought your input, AND your grandchild seeks your advice.

This is where I find myself today. My adult child has shared something with me in private. My grandchild is present and has a history of seeking my input. As I contemplate the possibility, the questions form. If this child confides in me today, “How will I respond? What will I say?”

The Influence of a Grandparent

Very few grandparents are aware of the influence they have on their grandchildren’s lives. By God’s unique design our relationship with our grandchildren puts us in a position of influence that is second only to that of their parents.

Our attitudes, words, and actions have the power to help our grandchildren grow to know, love, and serve Jesus with all their mind, heart, soul, and strength.

ATTITUDES, WORDS, and ACTIONS that REFLECT CHRIST

Do my ATTITUDES reflect Christ?

I am confident that God has equipped me with everything I need to disciple my grandchild. (2 Peter 1:3)

The Bible provides everything I need in order to do what God has commanded me to do. (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

“I get to” be God’s vessel of grace to my grandchild in this moment. (Psalm 128:6a)

Do my WORDS reflect Christ?

I aspire to speak wise words that will help to point my grandchild to Christ. (Proverbs 31:26)

I will be quick to hear what my grandchild has to say. As well, I will be slow to speak in response. (James 1:19)

I will take care to speak words of truth to my grandchild. (Ephesians 4:25)

Do my ACTIONS reflect Christ?

I coach my adult children as they learn to parent and support them in raising this child for the Lord. (Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Ephesians 6:4)

My grandparenting is discipleship-oriented. I prioritize the spiritual maturity of my grandchild. (Matthew 28:18-20)

I use the Bible as my primary source for grandparenting. (2 Timothy 3:15-17)

So, I pray.

I pray, first, that I would step completely out of the way. Then I invite the Holy Spirit into the possible conversation and ask that I would allow Him to work through me. My prayer is that I would be careful not to react from my emotions, but that I would, instead, respond with the love of God – taking my grandchild to the Bible and pointing them to Christ.

I pray that my attitudes, words, and actions will reflect Christ helping my grandchild to grow to know, love, and serve Jesus with all their mind, heart, soul, and strength.

I pray that I will grandparent with wisdom.