WEEKLY FEATURE
Teach Your Children and Grandchildren by Lois Macdonald
Our grandchildren come in all shapes and sizes, each with a distinct personality. While some are quiet and rather soft-spoken, others are bigger than life. We know that love has come to visit whenever they eagerly tap on our door. A love so entwined that it offers relief from our stubborn aches and pains and invites us to curl up, cuddle up, and connect heart-to-heart. Then with our well-worn pockets full of Godly wisdom and years of experience, we set aside all distractions and immerse ourselves into their stories.
"Be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Duet.: 4-9 (NIV).
Playing games with our grandkids is the perfect time to reach into those pockets of wisdom and experiences and find a scripture verse that relates to our activity. It's all about teaching sound doctrine, where the word of God is central to their lives, and we can be fun!
A verse I often choose is Psalm 139:1-3 (ESV). "O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways."
From an early age, playing Hide-and-Seek teaches children why they can hide from each other but can't hide from God. God comes seeking because he loves us and wants to bless us. Therefore, they never need to feel alone or frightened because God is always nearby.
Thankfully, even as teens, our grandkids love to play games with us. No matter how sophisticated the game, Psalm139 is still an excellent reminder that no matter what age we are, no one can outsmart God! He knows all about us. He knows what we will say before we say it and what we will do before we do it. He can see whether we cheated or played a fair game.
Dear friends, we have the privilege to share our lives with our children and grandchildren. Now is the time to pass on our baton of faith, "…. to your children and your children's children."
Let us also be open to the things they can teach us!
My Prayer: Thank you, Father, for the blessing of children and grandchildren. May Your Holy Spirit guide them and teach them Your ways. Thank you for knocking at the door of my heart and filling every recess with Your unconditional love. Please continue to fill my pockets with Your Word and guide my lips as I spend precious time with my family. In Jesus' name, I ask. Amen.