Reflecting Jesus’ Love as Grandparents

“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your
mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4)

“Thank you. I love you.” Can that five-word text capture eighteen years? Yes, if those words come from a grandson who has just moved into his college dorm. A grandmother’s heart is shaped like a helping hand. If that picture is puzzling, I understand the confusion; you might be skeptical too.

Serving Like Christ Would

Here’s the history behind the image. Eighteen years ago, our daughter Christy had a baby. She and her husband, Paul, did all the baby things, toddler things, and continued toward launching Josh for life. But I was on the perimeter. I changed diapers, walked Josh to school, and sat through endless basketball games in the high school gym.

Although I wasn’t even in the same state, I was part of the picture. After all, as a grandma, I was attached across generations. Some of those million miles on American Airlines came from flying to help Josh grow up! What was the motivation?

My helping was an expression of love for my daughter, her husband, and their child. Centuries ago, did the biblical Eve reach out to help her grandson pull a heavy bucket from the well? Did Ruth help her grandson through the sticky situations he faced growing up in Bethlehem? The Bible doesn’t tell us, but as grandmothers, we follow in a long line of older adults with a view toward helping others. With this helping, we carry out God’s wishes, as the Bible reminds us:

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

Loving Like Christ Would

I can only speak to my situation, but over the years, I gradually got to know my grandson. I learned about his community, his school, and his friends. Attachment grew.

As I helped, I grew too. I learned what was in the latest fast-food boxes. I scooted over on school bleachers to make room for other families. I tried to understand why some parents set different rules for their kids or couldn’t make time to volunteer. And as my attachment to Josh grew deeper, my tolerance and acceptance of others expanded too.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” (John 13:34)

Flying to see Josh required careful time management. Plane, hotel, and car rentals were pricey, so budget was always a concern. Psychologists could probably tick off a list of prosocial behaviors that predisposed me to help, but I felt good as a helper. I thought back to the hours I spent with Fred Rogers in his Pittsburgh PBS office. Mister Rogers always advised children: “Look for the helpers.” Here I was, years later, as an adult, still following his wise advice to make this world a better place!

Tips for Sharing Christ’s Love 

But now that Josh is away on campus, he is launched for life. The helper-shaped heart that propelled me for so many years must find new ways to serve cross-generationally. After all, four other grandsons are waiting in the wings! But how can I continue to share the love of God through Jesus Christ in these later years of my life?

To start with, I pray for God to remind me of His purpose for extending my years on earth:

“So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come.” (Psalm 71:18)

Communicate. Our grandsons smile (laugh?) at my level of tech ability. I admit to being a tech klutz, but I can still communicate! I don’t click quickly, but I can email encouragement when a child is facing a hard test in school or is being bullied on the soccer field. Those words might be just what a grandchild needs to uplift his spirit.

Be available. No longer the first line of defense, I couldn’t wrap my arms around my sobbing daughter as she pulled away and left Josh on campus last week. The house in which he grew up now echoes, reflecting the loss. But the technology that challenges me also crisscrosses our country. It only took a moment to link me with the daughter who has filled my heart for years.

Pray. I really delight in talking to God each day about our grandsons. I literally smile when thinking about the child for whom I’m praying. The subject is always the same: the Christian character and virtues that defined their childhoods, including values like honesty, trust, and responsibility. Now, I fervently pray our grandchildren will hold fast to Christ and His Word, that they may continue to live out those biblically based concepts as they leave the nest.

Be a lifelong learner. The words seemed simple when I shared them as a college professor; living them is more of a challenge. I realized that even if I have to let go of our children and grandchildren just a little bit more, I can rely on God to fill that space in new ways with new people. Perhaps soon, I’ll see hints that I’m finally becoming the lifelong learner I aspire to be.

But what a privilege to be in this position! My mother never knew what it was like to attend the wedding of a daughter, much less snuggle a grandchild. But we can experience the layers of love that span our years. And what memories we cherish in our hearts.

Christ’s Love Endures Over Generations

We may have moved to second string, but we are still valued. God has given us such an important role! Or as the psalmist says:

“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.” (Psalm 119:111)

As our children launch our grandchildren into life, we can be confident that the same God who walked alongside us will be with the next generations. After all, you and I know God keeps His promises. He has been faithful to us through so many years. We can be confident He will be faithful to the next generations also.

For the promise God made to Isaiah long ago are words God whispers in our ears now:

“Even to your old age I am He, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” (Isaiah 46:4)

Truly, we worship an awesome God.

Scripture: ESV^®.

Are you looking for ways to teach young ones about God’s love? Browse children’s books by Dr. Mary Manz Simon, parenting specialist, best-selling author, and loving grandmother.