A Grandparent’s Prayer

Topic(s): Family, Grandparents

Dear Lord, 

Thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all…but Thou knowest, that I want a few friends at the end. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details…give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter. I dare not ask for improved memory, but a growing humility when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a holier-than-thou saint …but a sour old person is one of the crowning works for the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. Give me the grace to tell them so. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen 

Thoughts on Discipline

Topic(s): Family, Grandparents

The child who says, “I will not” to his parents shows disrespect, dishonor, and discourtesy. He also rebels against the Heavenly Father who commands obedience to parents (Lk. 2:51; Col. 3:20). Parents must teach respect for authority while children are young. If they do not, society will later, and often in a much severer way. A prominent officer said: “Crime prevention should begin in the high chair” (cf. Prov. 3:12, 23). At the same time, discipline should not be administered in anger or revenge (Eph. 6:4). Harsh or unfair punishment is not intelligent (it produces resentment) nor is it Christian (it is not imitating our Father’s discipline of us, Heb. 12:6-10; 1 Pet. 1:16). 

God hates all lying (Col. 3:9; Eph. 4:25). All lying—the “little sugar coated, white lies" as well as the "big black, wooly lies" (Rev. 21:9). In school, if we borrow the answers off of someone else's paper, sign our name to it, and hand it in, we are guilty of deceiving the teacher. That’s lying.

What is a Grandmother?

Topic(s): Family

There never seems to be a generation gap when it comes to grandmothers. How has Grandma’s image survived intact through the ages? Is she still all-wise … the only one who truly relates to youth? Does she still offer an ample lap and apple pie, or has she modernized? For clear-eyed opinions on what a grandmother really is, here is a selection of views from a new book of opinions handed down by adored (and adoring) grandchildren. 

There is nothing like a grandmother: she lets you put your vegetables back in the pot when your mother isn’t looking.

What is a grandmother? When I send her a letter she doesn’t just send back another letter. She puts something like a dollar bill or a handkerchief in it.

• A grandmother is a lady with past experience.

• Grandmothers play with you whether they are busy or not. That’s why a grandmother is really my kind of person.

• A grandmother is always nice. You bring them a bouquet of flowers and they cry.

• My grandmother is a groovy person. She rides a Honda. She is married to my grandfather.

• I think a grandmother is someone who has to be loved every minute of the time you go there.

• A grandmother is the one who stuffs food down your throat when you are not hungry.

• A grandmother will rush you to the hospital if you scratch your finger because she thinks you will die. They also are seriously disturbed about germs.

• A grandmother is that one who gives you a present your mother didn’t want you to have.

• Whenever I go to see my grandmother and tell her not to fuss over lunch, she goes ahead and does it. Well that’s my grandmother for you.

• A grandmother comes to football games and cheers when she doesn’t know what’s happening.

• A grandmother is someone who tells mother and father they’re raising me wrong.

• My grandmother is a very old lady. Long, long ago she was something like me.

• My grandmother gives me candy or money. My other grandmother is just the same only she gives me meatballs or ice cream.

• A grandma is made to spoil you and save you from your parents.

• A grandmother is someone who tells you the bad things your mother did when she was a little girl.

• A grandma says she has a very good memory but  can’t remember her age.

“Children’s children are the crown of old men…” —Proverbs 17:6

 Be Careful What You Say

Topic(s): Family, Grandparents, Humor

One day a little girl watching her mother do the dishes noticed several strands of white hair on her mother’s brunette head. She asked, “Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?” She replied, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, “Momma, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?”