Use What You Have to Hand Down the Faith

I want to tell you a very important truth - you do not have to be a wealthy grandparent (or parent) to hand down the faith. You do not have to have "disposable" income for you to be able to hand down the faith. You do not have to have money to spend on trips, conferences, books, resources or any other thing to be able to hand down the faith. Handing down the faith does not take money - it takes being willing to be a person who authentically walks and talks with God and is willing to do as God has asked; this does not require money.

Now, yes, if you have a budget to spend on resources, books, conferences, etc, those things are able to help you be more equipped, but a budget is not required. Take a look at the following things which are required for you to hand down the faith . . .

Make 2020 a Year of Blessings

There are many things we are able to do as grandmas which make a significant difference in the lives of our children and grandchildren, but one big one is for us to "bless" them. Now, if you did not grow up receiving Scripture blessings as a child, or if you have not been taught what it is to bless or how to do it, honestly it may be a a challenge to get in the "habit". I did not grow up with this and did not even know about it until a few years ago, so I find making this a part of what I always do with my grandsons is something challenging. However; it absolutely is something I want to be part of what I do with them. I understand the whys for it and so one of the things I want to do with them this year, is make giving a Scripture blessing a part of what happens at poppa and grandma's house.

So, I am challenging you to do this as well; "bless" your grandchildren whenever they leave your home. The Bible has many blessings in it and giving a blessing to your grandchildren is a really powerful thing. You may choose your own blessing to give from a favorite Bible verse or use this one from Psalm 86 to try . . . 

Do the Will of God

As grandmas (and grandpas/parents, too) who understand the most important thing in life is not to be happy, achieve pleasure or avoid pain, but instead to do God's will - no matter what, we must know what God's will for us looks like. If we do not know what God wants us to do, how will we do it? Happily God makes these things clear for us in His Word . . . consider the following . . . 

Equip Them to Be People Who Pray

My grandsons are learning to be people who pray. While I absolutely want them to pray with their poppa and I, it is essential, absolutely essential for them to learn to be people who are able to pray on their own. I want them to know how their poppa's and I have a faith which is real, it is the most important thing for them to know they are able to have a faith of their own which is real. 

Faith = Taking the First Step

What are you facing right now in your life? Do you have a concern with your grandchildren and/or son/daughter/ their spouses? Are you facing health concerns? Money concerns? Any concerns? Take those concerns to Jesus - if you care about these things, so does He! Put your faith in Him, even if - and especially if you do not see how these concerns will be resolved.

God Has Promised to Leave You "Stunned & Amazed"

Are you a grandparent and/or parent who is able to rejoice as your grandchildren and/or grown children who you love have made the choice to love, know and walk with God? If so, you have much for which to be thankful and much about which to rejoice! If this is you, do not, however; think you are able to relax. All it takes is one hurt. One difficult situation. One disappointment. One poor influence to sidetrack and derail them in their walk and leave them where they turn away from God. Continue to pray for them. Continue to pray for them. Continue to pray for them.

Are you a grandparent/parent who has a heart which breaks for a grandchild/grown child you love who has turned away from their walk with God? It is all too easy to feel despair, be discouraged, heartbroken and fear they will not turn back. For you I want to say the same thing; continue to pray for them. Continue to pray for them. Continue to pray for them.

Prayer of Protection Against Bullying

Lord Jesus,

You abhor bullying. You detest “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community” (Proverbs 6:16-19, NIV).