There are privileges to maturing in age, and one of them is the gift of grandchildren. Like a king and queen’s crown, they are exceptionally valuable and are to be displayed proudly. You look at their hands and feet, and you pray for them to handle life prayerfully and to walk wisely with the Lord. You gaze into their innocent eyes and see glimpses of God’s glory, and you pray for them to look often to the face of Jesus and know that He loves them.

Grandchildren are gifts from God that invite love and unify families. They are reminders that the Lord is at work extending His legacy. So as you love on these little ones make sure to sow into them the Word of God, and model for them grace, love, forgiveness, and fear of the Lord. Teach them to keep their eyes on Jesus, for He will never let them down. Godly grandparents invite trusting grandchildren into their lives.

Invite them to your work, so that they can see how you relate to people with patience, encouragement, and accountability. Invite them into your home, so they soak in how you unconditionally love and respect their grandmother or grandfather. Make sure they catch you laughing out loud every time they visit with you. Call them on the phone; send them emails and birthday cards; take them on trips; buy them ice cream, clothes, and their first Bible. Make their memories with you bring a smile to their face.

Lastly, if you are a parent, honor your parents by allowing them to be in the presence of your children. Take a break from parenting and let your mom and dad spoil them. If you are a grandparent, be extremely grateful to your children for the opportunity to invest in their children. Honor your children by respecting their way of parenting. Work with them and not against them. Indeed, your children still need your time, money, and wisdom.

“But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children– with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts” (Psalm 103:17-18).

How can I support my children as they parent their children?

Related Readings: Psalm 78:4-6; 128:6; Proverbs 13:22; Joel 1:2-4

Taken from Reading #4 in the new eBook Wisdom for Fathers (free for June), click here: http://bit.ly/j650BI

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An expecting wife needs extra sensitivity, and a strong supportive husband. She is emotionally vulnerable, and physically overwhelmed at times. As with Mary, there may be some uncertainty of the ultimate outcome, but she trusts the Lord to care for her and her baby. The circumstances are challenging when you are away from the comforts of home and its familiar feel. Pregnancy is a transition that requires trust in the Lord.

Husbands, your expecting wife needs you to step up like Joseph and provide leadership. This is not the time to lose faith, or become frightened. Perfect love casts out fear, so overcome any apprehensions with the Christ-like love that dwells in your mind and heart. See pregnancy as a prayerful process to accomplish the plan of Almighty God, as expecting moms and dads can expect great things from Him. Hannah and her husband Elkanah gave God the glory for the blessing of their son Samuel:

“Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the LORD and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the LORD for him” (1 Samuel 1:19-20).

Furthermore, a husband’s leadership needs to provide protection for his wife. Accompany her, as Joseph did, to new places and people who might take advantage of your sweet spirited spouse. It makes your woman feel safe and secure when you buffer her from bad people, or strangers with unseemly motives. Stay with her, and see her through stressful situations, like family members who can be awkward and insensitive toward your bride.

Intervene and defend your wife if your children, parents or siblings show disrespect, ever how subtle it might be. God in marriage made you one flesh, so if she is offended, you are offended. Of course prayerfully confront all parties in a spirit of grace and humility, but with clarity. An expecting wife is beautiful to behold, as she brings forth an innocent infant woven in her womb by God. Be there for her labor of love for the Lord, and for His gift of a precious little one to love. Mary gave God the glory for her baby Jesus!

“The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23).

Who can I support and pray for who is expecting a baby? How can I thank my heavenly Father for His gift of baby Jesus to me and to mankind?

Related Readings: Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2; John 16:21; I John 4:18

Taken from Reading #1 in the upcoming new eBook, Wisdom for Fathers.

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God gives grandparents the opportunity to be available for their grandchildren. It can be the most fulfilling season of life, because of the joy that comes from seeing the third generation follow the Lord with wholehearted commitment. Grandchildren need their grandparents for fun, support, encouragement, wisdom, security and a loving legacy.

Do you have a plan to be intentional in your grandchildren’s lives? Grandparents who take the time to be with their grandchildren invest in the next godly generation. Do you want to be remembered for being available to those who desire you the most, or for being busy doing good things for people who probably won’t attend your funeral? Bless your grandchildren with your faithfulness to them and the Lord—pray for His will in their life.

“When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?” “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 48:8-9). Grandchildren need their grandparent’s blessing.

What’s a grandparent to do if they are available, but the grandchild is unavailable? It may be a geographical challenge or a generational gap. Whatever the relational chasm, you can pray for them to love Christ. Don’t allow distance to dissolve your relationship with your grandchild. Look for creative ways to go to them—relieve mom and dad for a needed time away. Invite them to join you on an educational trip to an interesting historical site.

Moments with grandmother and granddaddy are memories that are not soon forgotten. Fishing, hunting, eating, reading, learning to drive, walking together and laughing are all healthy interactions that build a sense of belonging for grandchildren. In a transitional society it’s imperative that families find close community—perhaps you pray for a local “adopted” grandparent that can fill in the gaps of absent grandparents.

“But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:6). Commitment to family bears fruit that transcends generations.

Lastly, if you are a grandchild then reach out to your grandparents. They will not be with you forever and they cherish every word of communication with you. Visit them often at their home, call them regularly and write them nice notes thanking them for their love for you and others. The elderly need the respect and care of those blessed by their wisdom and generosity. Grandparents deserve honor expressed by our time, talent and treasures.

“‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:32).
How can I be available for my grandchildren? How can I honor my grandparents?

Related Readings: Proverbs 16:31; Isaiah 46:4; Titus 2:1-5

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Do you outwardly favor one of your children over another? Have you used a phrase like, “I wish you were more like your sister, she always gets an A on her tests?” If so, you are in danger of creating an environment that fosters rivalry between your children. Sad is a child who thinks they have to live up to a sister or brother’s unreachable standard.

Jealousy jabs at the heart and causes a child to react angrily toward the other object of their parent’s affection. Since they don’t feel like they measure up, they try to discredit the favored sibling or they create chaos to draw attention to themselves. It is disheartening to see even grown children remain in a state of fierce competition. Cruelty needs to be replaced with calmness—and anger with forgiveness, patience and love.

“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love” (Proverbs 27:4-5).

Is there chronic conflict between your children? Is it to the point that they are becoming a poor testimony to the model of Christ’s caring approach to relationships? If so, consider creating boundaries in the home that help prevent disrespectful—even mean behavior. Start early on and instill disciplinary actions for disrespect, dishonesty and disobedience.

Perhaps you are one of the few Christians in your family and other family members treat you as suspect or strange. If so, prayerfully use your position of integrity to invest into their lives unconditional love and acceptance. Serve them unselfishly and forgive their insults expressed by their insecure attitudes and actions. You know better and they don’t.

“Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt. So Pharaoh made him ruler over Egypt and all his palace” (Acts 7:9-10).

Eventually you may be in a position to crush or care for your siblings—it is of course God’s will that you extend compassion and forgiveness toward them. When those who should love you the most treat you unfairly—forgive them—and model the gracious way of our Lord Jesus Christ. God chose your family for you—to influence them for Him.

“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:19-21).

How can I embrace and celebrate the accomplishments of my siblings?

Related Readings: Job 42:11; Luke 14:26; Acts 13:45; 2 Corinthians 12:20

Support Wisdom Hunters: Learn how you can help us reach other Wisdom Hunters with your monthly donation… click here…http://wisdomhunters.com/support-wh/

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