My Denver Broncos lost today. No, they were whipped. No, it was even worse than that. They were humiliated. But I really don't care because before the game was officially over I found out that I have another granddaughter. No matter what else happens today, it's a good day.
What is it about grandchildren that brings such happiness to a grandparent? Proverbs 17:6 reads, "Children's children are a crown to the aged..." (NIV). That's exactly the way I feel. But why do I feel this way, and others I know don't? The difference, I think, concerns the person's children, not the grandchildren. I can love, play with, teach, and generally enjoy my grandchildren because my children love the Lord and are training up their children to love, honor and respect them and their parents. How sad to see a grandparent who can't enjoy their grandchildren because they are estranged from their children. The grandchildren may be undisciplined, disrespectful and poorly behaved, even toward their grandparents. I've known grandchildren who have taken terrible advantage of their grandparents, manipulating them for their own financial gain. I'm afraid the proverb doesn't apply in every situation.
My grandchildren are all from Lake Wobegon. They are all above average! Their excellence has nothing to do with their looks or intellect, but everything to do with their upbringing. How good of God to train up my children to be mature, responsible people of God who know how to love and nurture their offspring in spite of the many mistakes I made with them. Not that I was a horrible, inept parent. But I certainly have a list of things I would do over if I could. But I don't need to.
Someone once said, and I don't know who because several have had this quote attributed to them, "It matters a great deal down whose chimney you are dropped." Children, whether dropped down your chimney or brought to you with soot on their faces to be part of your family, are gifts from God. When their children become a blessing to their grandparents, you know that your part in training up their parents was not wasted nor ineffective.
There are way too many pronouns in this article. One must read slowly and carefully to fully understand. But if you just want the bottom line, here it is: I have been blessed again today! God is great!
Congratulations! How exciting. I must say, your post comes on a good day for me...it was one of those days where I questioned my ability as a mom. It's hard to remember that at some point, they will all be grown and I'll be sitting here wondering where the time went. Thanks for the reminder!
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