Involved
Involved
Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged. (Prov. 17:6 nlt)
When my husband, Bill, and I were raising our three children, our parents weren’t very involved with their grandchildren. While the grandparents remembered birthdays and gave Christmas gifts, there were no offers to babysit—no respite for an occasionally beleaguered stay-at-home mom, and little help or encouragement was given. Our parents probably felt they had raised their kids and shouldn’t be saddled with the responsibility of being called upon to pinch-hit once in a while.
But Bill and I want to be involved in the lives of our grown children and grandchildren. And for the ones who live far away, it requires extra effort. While it can be expensive to travel, I’m always on the lookout for cheap airfare.
When Bill and I can’t be there in person to read a story, put a bandage on a skinned knee, give big hugs, or help with homework, we pray for wisdom about how we can stay connected. We make frequent phone calls, send e-mails, and drop cute cards in the mail—just to let the kids know we love them. They know they can call us and we’ll take the time to listen.
We always pray that God will use us to impact the lives of our children and grandchildren for God’s kingdom. We want to be a blessing to them and to be available to help when it’s needed. It takes extra effort, but it’s so worth it!
When families live far apart, the cost of travel can limit the frequency of visits. But thanks to technology, communication can be easier. If you live far away from your family, make frequent phone calls and send letters or e-mails. Digital photography makes it easy to share photos and videos. Ask God to help you be a positive influence in the lives of your loved ones.