This month has been a busy time of celebrating grandchildren (of course any time is a good time to do that). We are enjoying two graduations, the first grandchild to graduate from college and the third to graduate from high school. But we are also celebrating our youngest granddaughter who will be baptized and share her testimony as well as other milestones and events for each of our six. In the midst of these, I am not losing sight of the less tangible reasons to celebrate, those that do not involve certificates or diplomas.
I am especially celebrating the evidences of the habits our children have been diligently seeking to develop, prune, and grow in each of our grandchildren. Chief among them is the ongoing development of their relationship with the Lord. They are all beyond the age and seasons of sitting on our laps listening to Bible stories. Three of them are officially adults. Each of the six has made a profession of their faith and trust in Jesus and have begun to walk out what it means to trust Him in daily life when things are hard, disappointing or depressing.
It is now that those foundational truths are developing into habits and evidences of seed sown long ago along with seed sown just a day ago. Will that truth and trust kick in when you don’t get the grade you want or need? Will that truth and trust kick in when someone makes a cruel remark about you? Will that truth and trust kick in when you feel rejected by friends? Will truth and trust kick in when you feel unsure of yourself, not equal to what lays ahead?
We read Proverbs 22: 6 and often have it memorized about the importance of training up a child. The ESV reads:
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
The NIV reads:
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
It means investing a lot of time not just teaching and training a child, but living with and out a Christ like life in the midst of daily living. It means teaching and modeling responsibility for so many things as well as teaching and modeling respect for others even when they do not agree with us. Parenting, good parenting, is not for cowards, the faint of heart, or those caught up in self-devotion. If we miss this opportunity when they are young because we are too busy, too lazy, or even too consumed with religious activities, we will have failed in our stewardship of these precious gifts entrusted to us by the Lord.
I hope I live long enough to see how the habits I see developing now in my grandchildren grow and expand into their adulthood. I love seeing some of those habits in our adult children. I feel deeply grateful that despite our failings as parents many times that both 
of our children are mature in their faith. I smile when we are visiting in their homes when I see our daughter on the end of her couch with a cup of coffee nearby as she studies the Word or see our son sitting on his front porch with coffee and golden retriever, Sam, while he too studies the Word. I also whisper, “Thank you, Lord!”
Habits that we develop over a lifetime stand out when we face extreme or difficult circumstances. A great Biblical example can be seen in David’s life as compared to Saul’s. At an early age David was convinced that a giant was no match for his big God. His friend, Jonathan, also encouraged him. Over and over again we see in his life the growing habit of trusting the Lord that had begun as a child when circumstances were not as large as a giant or the armies of Saul chasing him.
Look at the contrast with Saul. I don’t know a lot about his early life, but if early life shapes our habits then I might guess what it may have been like. We know he was tall and apparently handsome. Did he trust in his own prowess? His recorded story might suggest that. In contrast to David, he does not show evidence of thinking much about God and when push came to shove he gave more weight to the circumstances he was facing than to God. As a result of those habits, he succumbed to overwhelming fear, overwhelming pride, and dependence on circumstances. In the end those very things caused him to fall on his sword and take his own life.
What habits were sown into your life?
What habits are you sowing into someone else’s so when trials come, they can stand?
One of the greatest joys in my life is seeing our three children walking with the Lord and establishing families of faith. It is such a blessing to have grandchildren–and an opportunity to pray for them and their parents. I enjoyed reading about your family and I love the quote from C.S. Lewis!
Amen!! Thanks, Carol! May the years ahead for you provide many special glimpses of the seed you have sown so faithfully into their lives!
Hi Pam, enjoy those family moments! I’ve been reading about Saul, David, and Jonathan in my One Year Bible recently. It seems that the defining difference is that Saul didn’t have a heart all for God, but David and Jonathan did. I’m praying that my children’s hearts would be all for God.
I loved this post. Great photo as well
We find ourselves in a very lovely season, don’t we, Pam. We are free to love, but not be responsible for that next generation. It doesn’t mean we don’t offer our 2 cents here and there, but grandparenting is truly wonderful mantle to wear.
Exhausting, sometimes. Burdensome, too. But filled with delight, hope, and lots of laughter.
And prayer. Endless.
You’re right, Linda! I also find with older grandchildren that they often seek me out to chat at Starbucks or on a walk and I get a lot of opportunity to listen and also share at different points. Love your wording on this response!
Raising children definitely requires the long view of things, as well as persistence and dedication. You can’t just instruct once and expect it to stick. And you know, this is also true of spiritual growth. It’s takes persistence and dedication to see the fruit of godliness mature.
Amen! Amen, Karen!!
Hi Pam! You go CS Lewis!!! I love that quote. We truly are our children’s best and first teachers, and grandparents are huge witnesses too. I am preparing a talk on the Spirituality of Grandparenting, and believe me, your influence on your little ones is bigger than you’ll ever know.
I know my parents gave me beautiful habits of being generous, serving others and celebrating the great blessings in our lives, just like your graduations and other big events. What joy they bring us! We see pieces of ourselves and of Christ in those that follow us, and it brings such satisfaction doesn’t it?
Wishing you many joys in your celebrations!
Ceil
Hi Ceil! You know that no one can say it quite like him!!! I think the topic of your talk is outstanding! I didn’t really get to know one set of grandparents because they died before I was born or when I was a baby. The other set..the grandmother died when I was 8 and the grandfather when I was 17. I regret not having a rich grandparent heritage or memories. My parents did a great job at it and I think my hubby and I are trying to emulate them!! Yes, we do see pieces..I see this or that little piece in each of our six grandchildren! Thanks! Have a God-kissed week!
I loved this post today. It speaks to me because I’ve been praying more over my kids each day, more than before. I just felt the urge to pray bold prayers over them and asking God to bless them despite my parenting faults. I hope the good seeds like the ones you mentioned here (Bible reading, praying together) will be rooted deeper than the mess-ups I so easily remember.
Your neighbor at #PorchStories
Bless you, Meghan! I believe there is a grace for parents that helps our children deal with our mess-ups when our intent is to raise them up in the Lord!
It’s even the habits that can seem little, that spread God’s love. Like saying Thank you, and holding the door open for someone, isn’t it? And lately for me, it’s working on my speech; that my words be life, instead of destructions.
So very true, Lynn! I have discovered it is the little habits of mine (good and not so good) that my adult children most often tell me they recall.
Perfect! I have no greater joy than to hear that my children, my grandchildren, and all those He has given me, walk in Truth!!! Great heartfelt post, Pam.
Loved your reflection this morning. May the good Lords blessings continue for each of us and may we always remember to be grateful.