Next week Wednesday is Grandparents Day here at OSL. I believe I’ve seen some awesome Grandparents participate here at OSL over that last decade plus. But I think I’m most capable of recognizing some Grandparents that I’m most aware of … my children’s Grandparents and in memory, my Grammy, my wife’s Grandmother, who I was privileged to comment to heaven on Monday, October 9. Having lived for 97 years and rarely if ever being sick, her home-going was very difficult for the family to deal with.
Grandparents are those special people who have had a number of years under their belt. And since all of mine, and all of our children’s, have been Christian (that too is a special gift from God) they are they people who have “tested the waters” and have for a much longer period of time realized by promise and experience that God is faithful. God keeps his promises. God is true to His Word. I can them in my mind echo the words of Scripture:
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. Psalm 37:25
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:4
After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Genesis 15:1
I will always view my grandparents as being positive Christian witnesses who not only walked by faith, but by virtue of their age (a gift they would give thanks to the Lord for) knew these promises and words of God to most real over a long period of time.
My children’s grandparents have passed on the same virtues and realities and thoughts to our children as well. They are monuments or markers or witnesses of God’s faithfulness and love. They are those who lend great credibility to the fact that we do not just walk by faith, but also by the sight of those who have gone before us … and have themselves faithfully handed down the tradition of trust in a great and awesome God.
I pray that your grandparents passed a similar heritage on to you. If not, having just received my ARP Card in the mail last week, remember: it the not to distant future, you too will be passing something on to little, expectant, adoring faces that will be proud of you and want to imitate you.
What will you pass on?
