Becoming a grandmother has increased our family tree and enlarged my heart's capacity to love. With the birth of each of my boys, I a grew a "mommy's heart." Unlike my previous model, my mommy''s heart grew to encompass 2 little boys. No one could have convinced me that my love could be further multiplied. When Patti married Jason, I proved myself wrong. Fresh growth allowed my heart to gladly receive the godly young woman God has prepared for him to marry. When Dawson became engaged to Kathryn, I was prepared. I knew what was coming as I praised the Lord for this godly young woman. And my heart's capacity was once again enlarged.
Contentment settled in on my soul as I watched my precious men begin to build their own households of faith. I assumed my heart and I were fully grown. And then the grands!!! Oh my heart. It ached with the joy Declan and Grayson brought. These boys are yummy!
The role of grandparent is a gracious love gift from the Lord. But, for all of us who are privileged to share in the the membership of this fraternity, there are responsibilities that accompany it.
As grandparents we must NEVER undermine the parents. If mom (or dad) says NO, we are compelled to support them. We do not have the right to override their decision. We had our change to raise our children the way we thought was right. We need to give our children the same opportunity. Offer advice only when it is asked for, and even then....proceed with caution.
We need to take our cues from the parents.
We need to be supportive of the parents' rules and help enforce them (unless there is a serious safety issue. That would need to be privately addressed with our child and that is a whole other issue).
We do get to spoil our grandchildren...with unconditional love and uninterrupted time. We are not to deliberately violate mom and dad's rules and call it "grandparent's privilege." Let's do everything we can to help our children be successful parents and raise up the next generation for the Lord.
Recent Comments