Moments Together for Couples 3/15

by Dennis and Barbara Rainey

Leviticus 19:32
You shall rise up before the grayheaded, and honor the aged, and you shall revere your God; I am the Lord.

Jack Turpin of Dallas, Texas, is a busy man, but not too busy for his grandchildren. Several times a year he picks up some of his grandchildren who live in the Dallas area for what he calls "Grandpa Day." Starting at 7:00 A.M., they go to a traditional spot for breakfast and then to his office. There he has a closet filled with games and books that the grandkids enjoy. After the trip to the office, they go to the sanctuary of their church and sit. They have lunch and then return home.

A few years ago, when one of his daughters became ill, Jack had "Grandpa Camp" for four days. Jack is purposely involved in his grandchildren's lives.

Let me ask you: Why are so many old people bored? Why are many of the elderly under-challenged? What keeps them going as they approach the end of life? Why do so many waste so much time chasing little white balls around a golf course?

I believe one key reason is that many grandparents are not like Jack Turpin. They are isolated from their families and are not involved in passing on a legacy.

Something tells me the problem in many cases may be their relationships with their adult children. If you were to say to me, "I wish my parents would start making time to be grandparents" I would ask, "How much time are you spending with your parents?" Or, "Are you pursuing a relationship with them?" Perhaps if we value the older generation by honoring our parents, they will value the younger generation by getting involved in their grandchildren's lives.

Do your parents feel close to you? Do they feel loved, appreciated and needed? And if they are needed, is it for something other than just baby-sitting? If they did, perhaps they would make the effort to be involved.

God gives grandparents a special role in a child's life. A child may learn some character qualities more from his grandparents than from his parents. That's the type of vision I'd like to give grandparents-helping to build another generation. And you can help make it possible by maintaining that connection.

Prayer:

For your children to experience a great relationship with their grandparents.

Discuss: How involved are your parents with your children? What steps can you take to help strengthen that connection?

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