Grandchildren are wonderful. You can be proud of them without anybody criticizing because you didn't raise them. You can applaud them without being responsible for their mistakes. When you are a grandparent you can afford to only look at the positive attributes. Their faults won't be your problem. I love it!
I visited with two of my grandchildren last week, and I got to applaud when Katy took second place in the 100 meter dash. I was privileged to cheer when Shania passed her driving test on the third try.
It is also scary. I don't want to fear for them in the world I see around us. I don't want a crass society to destroy their joy on the altar of greed or power. I have no reason to think they will be spared the difficulties of growing to adulthood without temptation or disaster crossing their lives. What is the best I can expect for them?
I know they will be loved by parents and grandparents, friends and relatives. I know they will be offered the joys of Christian love and fellowship as they grow in their church. I know they have been blessed with parents who teach them responsibility and obedience to both the civil law and Godly commandments.
As I think about this I realize I cannot know all the blessings or disappointments they will face, and I cannot guide them through the maze that awaits their lives. I won't live to see the end of the story, but I pray that it is meaningful in the difficult parts and joyous in the victories. Their careers and loves and joys and battles belong to a grand hope that is tied up in the future. I am so glad I was here for the beginning.
I visited with two of my grandchildren last week, and I got to applaud when Katy took second place in the 100 meter dash. I was privileged to cheer when Shania passed her driving test on the third try.
It is also scary. I don't want to fear for them in the world I see around us. I don't want a crass society to destroy their joy on the altar of greed or power. I have no reason to think they will be spared the difficulties of growing to adulthood without temptation or disaster crossing their lives. What is the best I can expect for them?
I know they will be loved by parents and grandparents, friends and relatives. I know they will be offered the joys of Christian love and fellowship as they grow in their church. I know they have been blessed with parents who teach them responsibility and obedience to both the civil law and Godly commandments.
As I think about this I realize I cannot know all the blessings or disappointments they will face, and I cannot guide them through the maze that awaits their lives. I won't live to see the end of the story, but I pray that it is meaningful in the difficult parts and joyous in the victories. Their careers and loves and joys and battles belong to a grand hope that is tied up in the future. I am so glad I was here for the beginning.
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