August 10, 2014

Grandparent’s Blessing

Written by Boyd Bailey

Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 10, 2014

They are the sons God has given me here,” Joseph said to his father. Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them.    Genesis 48:9

God’s gift to grandchildren is their grandparents’ blessing. It is significant for grandsons and granddaughters to receive this grand blessing. Grandchildren are certainly a blessing; who can argue this? Their smiles bless. So does their laughter. Their creative and passionate conversations bless. Their infant coos and twinkling eyes, their honesty and love, their trust and imagination all bless. Grandchildren are a blessing without a whole lot of effort. The minute they showed up, they blessed.  Grandchildren are a grand gift from God, but there is more to the grand blessing of grandchildren. They are created by God to be blessed by their grandparents, so not only are they a blessing to their grandparents, they are to be blessed by their grandparents.

That blessing is critical to the spiritual, emotional, and physical well-being of children. There is a greater family purpose beyond their immediate relationship with mom and dad. This is more easily understood in an agrarian society where the family is close and connected. They are close in proximity and have aligned passions around work, play, home, and church. Grandparents are nearby to bless with kind words and understanding ears. They model good money management and teach their grandchildren everything from how to whittle rough sticks of wood into smooth works of art, to how to eat peanuts from a soft drink bottle. They bless you without your even knowing that you’re being blessed.

Therefore, position your family to interact and engage with their grandparents. Visit them often. Invite them over at holidays and on the spur of the moment. Create environments for your children in which they can be blessed by their grandparents. They are not competition, but agents of Almighty God. Do not deny them the opportunity to be blessed and to bless.

The blessings of confidence, courage, and candor come from being around grandparents who care. The few grandparents who couldn’t care less may eventually come around because God created them to care. Don’t give up on them, but keep praying for their care to awaken from its selfish slumber. Give them a chance, for Christ created grandkids to be objects of their grandparents’ affection and blessing. Encourage your children to visit the home of your parents, and trust God to unleash His blessing through your parents. Their unconditional love makes your child a better son or daughter and you, a better parent.

Grandparents, bless your grandchildren with a legacy of love for God and people. Do not become the center of attention; instead lead them to fall in love with Jesus. God will live in your grandbabies beyond your life. Bless them with Bible reading and prayer. Bless them with worship at church. Bless them with stories and adventure. Bless them with generosity. Bless them with obedience to God. Bless them with a life worth emulating. Grandchildren are not complete without the blessing of their grandparents. You invest in eternity when you bless your grandchildren.

The Bible says, “The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old” (Proverbs 20:29).

Post/Tweet today: Not only are grandchildren a blessing to their grandparents, they are to be blessed by their grandparents.  #wisdomhunters

Taken from the August 10th reading in Boyd’s 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God vol. 1” … http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a

Free eBook when you invite 5 friends to the free email devotional…https://www.wisdomhunters.com/invite-your-friends/

© 2014 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved. www.wisdomhunters.com


Comments

  1. Beth Gunn says:

    Thank you for sharing <3

  2. Gwynne says:

    Dear Beth~
    You are so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us with your encouraging words after you read this devotional.
    Grandchildren truly are gifts from God, aren’t they?
    Blessings to you and yours.
    Believing and trusting~
    Gwynne

  3. YOLANDA TYSON-MOON says:

    Thank you for this!!! Such a blessed read!! I have found that in having my grandchildren, the blessing of them is one I can’t even describe!!! I just thank God SOOO much for the blessing of them and the blessing of being close to them; in spirit, love, and DISTANCE!!!
    I am so blessed to have a daughter and son-in-law and another daughter-, in-law who ALLOW and foster my closeness with my grandchildren!!! I am TRULY blessed by them and will continue to MAKE sure I too bless them!!! This read really blessed my soul, thank you again!!! May the good Lord bless you and yours ALWAYS!!!

  4. Gwynne says:

    Oh Yolanda! Your joy just shines through your email! Honestly, I could feel the happiness and love in your words.Yes, I agree with you, it is such a blessing to “love on” these little ones and share in their precious little lives. I can only imagine what a blessing you must be to them, too. It is such a gift from God to share in their little giggles, their sweet innocent conversations and hold them when they need a hug.
    Thank you, Yolanda, for your heartwarming response. You are the very example of Boyd’s devotional.
    We are so grateful that you are a part of the Wisdom Hunter’s family.
    Believing and trusting,
    Gwynne
    “Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
    1 Thessalonians 5: 161-8


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