Grandmas with Heart: June 2019

Sunday, June 30, 2019

Don't Give Up

My grandsons were at my house yesterday and they posed for a new photo for their great grandparents . . . and for me! I love photos of my grandsons - a casual look inside my house will prove this to be true without a doubt!

Please take a moment to look at a photo of your grandchildren. Take time to thank God for gifting them to you - they are each a precious gift from the hand of God and given to you for a reason; just as you are a precious gift from the hand of God and given to them for a reason as well.

Now, picture your grandchildren in your mind and read this quote from Joyce Meyer once again -

Two days ago I posted about what is NOT our job as grandmas (grandpas/parents) who hand down the faith . . . convicting and drawing the ones we love to Jesus, and yesterday I wrote about one thing which IS our job . . . praying for them. Today I want to write about one more thing which IS our job when it comes to handing down the faith . . . watching for, remembering and telling about God's faithfulness.

Hold to the Truth of God's Promises & His Character - He is Always Faithful

This quote is so true, powerful, convicting and encouraging I really do not need to say anything more.

I will, however; say, please take this to heart. When life becomes confusing or even hard for us and/or the ones we love, it is all too easy for us to forget the truth about how God is always faithful.

Oh, yes, as a grandma (grandpa/ parent) it IS our job - and great joy - to hand down the faith; one of the main parts of this job is for us to be people who are serious about praying. Now, if you are a faithful prayer warrior you already know this, but if you struggle with prayer you may feel like this is too difficult to do and you wonder if it actually makes a real difference. I understand these feelings, because I have felt this way.

the single parent: confident and successful - For All Parents & Grandparents

Grandmas with Heart is made up of a group of eight grandmas who are committed to handing down the faith to the grandchildren God has gifted to us and then sharing with other grandmas/grandpas/ parents how they may do the same. One of these grandmas is Linda Ranson Jacobs and she has just had her book published by Bethany House. It is my delight today to let you know about this wonderful resource and source of encouragement. I do have to say, have tissues handy as this book is going to touch your heart in deep and powerful ways.

If you, or your grown child, is a single parent, then clearly Linda's book, the single parent: confident and successful, is an obvious "fit". But, if like me, you are not a single parent and neither are your grown children, do not think this book is not for you - or for them. It absolutely is. As I read this book I learned much about how I will be better able to confidently and successfully hand faith to my grandchildren - and grown children as well. I am very happy to recommend, the single parent: confident and successful, to all parents and grandparents.

As grandmas (and grandpas/ parents) we have a job from God. A very, very important job. The most important job we will ever do. This job is to hand down the faith to the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and generations yet unborn.

There are two main components to this job, which we will look at in the next few posts, but since it is not uncommon for us to take on jobs which are not ours to take, in this post we will look at those "jobs" which are NOT ours to take.

I have been blessed to have my grandsons spend several days a week this summer at my house along with our usual weekly sleepover. With one third of the summer behind us, it has been a wonderful summer so far for sure!

Today I'm happy to share with you something my grandsons said on one of their sleepovers. We were getting ready for bed and I hugged Shane, hugged Caleb then asked Josiah (ten years old) if he wanted a hug, too. Happily, he did, so of course, I hugged him.

Then their Poppa said hugs are good for us and this surprised Josiah; which of course meant they had to talk about how studies show people who hug and receive hugs are healthier and live longer. To which Josiah said; "Then Caleb, Shane and I will be very healthy and live a very long time, because we get LOTS of hugs; especially at your house!" Then he looked at me and said; "And apparently you are going to be very healthy and live a very long time, too, grandma, because you give a LOT of hugs!" Caleb added; "And, you get a lot of hugs, too!" So, of course, we all hugged again!

A Free Kindle Book for You

Do you know who V. Gil Beers is? He has written more than 150 books, sold more than 13 million of his books and he has been so very kind to endorse my book; It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren. He said;

Handing down the faith. These four words are at the core of the most important job we have ever been given, and we have been given this most important job by God. Handing down the faith to our children, grandchildren and the generations which follow, may seem, at times, like a confusing and difficult thing for us to do, but it is all about the following . . .

We grandmas tend to be pretty accomplished at planning times with our grandchildren to connect with them; such as times when we bake together, work on crafts together, go for walks together, play games together . . . the operative word for no matter what it is we do is, "together". These times together are all about building memories and our relationship and they matter.

When we invest our time and love in the children with whom God has blessed our lives, the impact on their lives is lasting. We will be able to enjoy times together which build memories and our relationships as well as share with them the truth about God and how much He loves them; and how they are able to love Him back. Our grandchildren will remember us, the times we spent with them and the important things we have taught them.

Pray with Confidence

There are times when we pray and we are able to see God's answers, "left and right". It seems like every place we look, we are able to see how God is answering.

There are also times when it seems like God is silent. If we did not know God's Word promises He always hears, listens to and answers our prayers, we would wonder if He did.

The truth is, He does. So, whether we are able to see the answers, or not, like Chuck Swindoll says;

This week I've been posting about praying for our grandchildren, so today I'm very happy to share with you a fun and simple Mystery Bag project which will give you a way to talk with your grandchildren - of any age - about how to get to Heaven.

You will need -

As grandmas (and grandpas/ parents) who believe in, love and walk with God, we want to hand down the faith to the children we love, so they are able to believe in, love and walk with God as well. We want them to have the confidence in knowing they are forgiven. We want them to have the confidence in knowing God not only hears, but listens to and answers their prayers. We want them to have the confidence in knowing God will never leave them. And, we want them to know as they go through their lives, God's grace is able to keep a strong hold on them, no matter what they face.

These are the reasons we hand down the faith.

Trust God with Thankful Confidence

As we have looked at what people have had to say about praying, not worrying and trusting God, this verse in Philippians is the perfect verse for us to see what God has to say about this - He wants us to be people who do not worry about anything, but who instead turn to Him with a thankful confidence.

When all is going well it tends to be easy to trust and hope in God - after all, all is going well. But, when times are difficult and things are not working out the way we hoped, we may find it more difficult to trust and hope in God.

Last year as I (Lynda) worked on my new book, I did some research on Martin and Katherine Luther. I found a quote which really stood out for me - Martin said; "Pray and let God worry."

A few hours later I had to move beyond thinking, "What a wonderful quote", to where I actually had to do it - pray and make the choice to not fear or worry and give the fear and worry to God. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law live in Northern California (the true North, just two hours from Oregon at the top of the valley along the Eastern side of the Trinity Alps). It is one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth - clearly shows God's handiwork - and it was on fire.

Generations Prayer Group & Prayer from Psalms 25

We grandmas who make up Grandmas with Heart write this blog, because, as we focus upon handing down a heritage of faith to our grandchildren, we want to share what we learn with other grandparents. We believe grandmas have much to offer other grandmas, and grandpas/parents as well; we are honored to share with you and so thankful when you take time out of your busy day to read what we write - and share it with the grandparents/parents you know as well.

With these things in mind, I want to share today about how I am praying for my grandsons (and family as a whole). One of the primary ways I pray, is to pray Scripture for my family. I have two books I use for this which I have actually written – one takes me through the Old Testament with a year of weekly passages to pray specifically for the ones I love. The other does the same with the Book of Psalms.

I'm the "treasure receiver". Three sweet boys give me "treasures" . . . old, dead, dry sycamore leaves (because they are so big and cool!!!!), little green leaves ("These are leaves, grandma!!!!!") flowers (which are actually weeds) by the hands-full, not to mention smiles, "twinkling" eyes, hugs, kisses, snuggles, stories and jokes . . . treasures all!

My grandsons are convinced I love these treasures, because I always smile, tell them, "thank you" and give them hugs in return. While I may not "love" old, dead, dry leaves or weeds by the hands-full, I absolutely love my grandsons with all my heart, so if something is "treasured" by them, I'm so happy and thankful to be the person with whom they share these "treasures".

God Loves

God loves us. The core message and truth of the Bible and the reason we as grandparents hand down the faith.

If your grandchildren/grown children love and walk with God, continue to pray for them to do so. Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17 and one of the big things He prayed about for them, was for them to be protected from the evil one. If His disciples, people who walked with Him, heard Him teach and saw Him do miracles, needed Jesus to pray for them to be protected, then certainly the ones we love do as well.

Don't you just love the truth of this quote! Today, tomorrow and forever, our love for our grandchildren just grows and grows!

Lord Jesus,

We’re spiritually parched. We’ve relied upon ourselves and not on you. We’ve emptied ourselves in service to our families, churches and communities without stopping to re-hydrate—physically, emotionally or spiritually. Forgive us for becoming so busy we’ve forgotten to drink daily of Your life-giving Spirit.

Is It Time to Wake Up, Get Up & Get Going?

This past year the pastors at my church have been teaching their way through the Book of Isaiah. A few weeks ago Pastor Jim Samra taught from Isaiah 51 and 52 and today I want to share a few of the things he said with you, and provide this link where you are able to see his message as well. (It is well worth the 32 minutes it will take to watch and listen to him.)

God's love for our children and grandchildren is absolute, but He not only loves them, He lavishes His love upon them in big and small ways every day! Take time this summer to help them see the many ways God does this. Help them learn to look for God's love, in big and small ways . . .

How do you look at prayer? Is it something which is a big part of your day - and sometimes even your night? Do you faithfully spend time in prayer every day for the ones you love? Do the members of you family know you pray for them?

Or, is prayer something with which you struggle? Something with which you feel like you, "just do not get it"?

How Will You Be Remembered?

I like this quote, although we are remembered for the things we say and do each day of our lives. So, live today, knowing you are going to be remembered, with an eye towards how you will be remembered.

Will you be remembered as the grandma who was always so very happy to see your grandchildren? Will you be remembered as the grandma who always took time to read a book, snuggle and just listen to whatever your grandchildren wanted to tell you? Will you be remembered as the grandma who put away her tech, so she was able to give her full attention to her grandchildren?

I love the promises in these verses - God promises to help us and to pour out His Spirit and His blessings upon our descendants. If nothing else lifts your heart and fills it with thankful praise today, these promises certainly will!

It does not matter what new paths are before the ones we love; God tells us we do not have to be afraid, because He will help us and pour out His Spirit and blessings upon our descendants!

I heard something the other day which is absolutely true - unless I look in a mirror, or cross-eyed, I am not able to see my own nose. This does not mean my nose is no longer on my face - just I am not able to see it. Others are able to see my nose - it is actually one of the first things we see when we look at people.

This made me think about the old saying, "It's as plain as the nose on your face." Sometimes we think something is not real, not there, because due to whatever is going on in our lives, we do not see what we valued and what was part of us for so long . . . we do not see our own "nose". So, we think our "nose" is not really there - we may even think it was never there, but to others who see our "noses", they are, "as plain as the nose on our face!"

Don't Let it Slip By Unnoticed

Are you planning to spend extra time with your grandchildren this Summer? Do you have dates set aside to go visit them, or have them come visit you? While Summer holds may special blessings; typically warmer weather (although, here in Michigan we are still waiting for the warmer weather to arrive), the growth of fresh produce, the blooming of lovely flowers, etc. . . it also is often a time to be able to spend special time with grandchildren.

If this is true for you, plan now to make the most of those moments you are able to spend with them. Set aside technology, so you are able to give your full attention to your grandchildren. Plan for times to talk and share how God is working in your life - and encourage them to share how He is at work in their lives as well. Go for a walk in God's beautiful creation and marvel at His most wonderful creation - them!

When my grandsons were young, they loved to play hide-and-seek . . . did I say "loved"??? No, it is more like they "LOVED" to play hide-and-seek! They loved hiding and then they loved being found, but I think it was the "being found" part they loved the most, because they typically ended up telling us where they were "hiding"! They said things like, "I'm going to hide under the table and you can count, then come and find me!" Or, when we finished counting and said; "Ready or not, here we come, oh where oh where could you be?", they typically told us; "I'm in the closet!" or "I'm under the table!" or wherever they were. Plus, if we took too "long" to "find" them, they typically made little sounds . . . to "help" us find them! Then when we found them, they often laughed, gave hugs and we did it all over again . . . and again . . . and again! Did I mention they "LOVED" playing hide and seek??!!!

Hand Down the Faith with a Mystery Bag Project - God Knows What the Future Holds

My oldest grandson is entering a new time in his life - he will be going to Middle School in the Fall. His new school is a school he has never been to before. It is a school where he may not know any of the children who are there. It is a new, and uncertain, time for his life; which makes it a new and uncertain time in all of our lives as well.

The school he is going to is not his first choice, so along with all the, "uncertainties" of going to this new school, there are also feelings of disappointment in not being able to go to his first choice school for Sixth Grade. I told him while we do not know what all to expect from his new school, we do know God has good things in store for him and I am praying he will be able to see those, "good things". We know this is true, because God promises it in Jeremiah 29:11 -

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

While we do not know what is, "around the corner" for my grandson, we know God does. The same is true for you and the ones you love. If you have "uncertainty" ahead of you, consider involving your grandchildren in making a periscope as a "Mystery Bag" project to help them learn and remember how they are able to trust God's plans for them.

You will need . . .

One of the important, essential "roles" of grandmas is for them to be the "tellers" of the family history. This means we need to be the ones who hand down this history . . . such as the time when their great-great-great grandpa gave food from his store to a local family who couldn't afford to buy it during the depression or the time when their great-great-great-great-great - well many greats - was hit on a head, thrown on a ship and shanghaied from Scotland to America where he worked as an indentured servant for seven years to regain his freedom. These family "stories" . . . these historical accounts, help give our grandchildren a "sense" of who they are and from where they came.

It is also essential, even more so, for us to be the ones who hand down the true, historic accounts of how God has worked in our lives and the lives of our ancestors. Such as the time when God saved their great-great grandpa and grandma and their great-great-great grandpa from a tornado or the account of how God brought their grandma and grandpa together from different parts of the country, so they would meet on a volcano.

Psalms 106 and 107 and throughout the Book of Judges we see clearly what happens when the next generation forgets who God is and what He has done. We want our grandchildren to remember, so they will know, love and walk with God throughout their lives.

Proverbs 14:26 says; “Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” Today, and throughout the remainder of the week, as you think about your grandchildren, consider making this your prayer –

Love = Time

This quote reminds me of my grandsons. They have recently discovered the "joy" of "hangouts". In case you do not yet know what this is, it is a way they are able to call you through google accounts and actually see you while they talk to you - or just use it to send you messages.

My grandsons will often use it to call me - or message me - and these times of "connection" may last for some time. But, I am happy they want to communicate with me, so I talk with them - or send them messages - as long as we are able. I know as they grow older, they are less likely to do this - or at least for as long and as often. I want them to grow up remembering their grandma was willing to listen to them, talk with them and send them messages. I want them to know they really matter to me, because I made time for them.

As I mentioned a few days ago, when I asked my grandsons what my "job" as grandma was, they said for me to give hugs, snuggles, kisses and to make lots of cookies! While this makes us smile - at least it makes me smile - it is also true. These things are all about giving love and when it comes to the "role" of grandma, one extremely important part is to be the person my grandsons are absolutely able to depend upon throughout their lives to be generous in giving and showing love to them.

We all need people who generously give love to us and grandmas (and grandpas) are some of the most ideal people to do this. So, how might a grandma (and grandpa) generously show love to grandchildren near and far? Consider the following . . .

God's Faithful Love is For Our Grandchildren

I love these verses from Psalm 103 as they give us the reason we are able to be grandmas and grandpas and parents, too, who hand down the faith . . . because God's faithful love lasts forever and reaches to our grandchildren.

God loves us and He loves the ones we love. His love is not the "mushy" love our world often shows. No! Not at all. God's love is described as, "faithful", but what does "faithful" mean? Dictionary(dot)com defines it as . . .

For the past few days I've been talking about the "role" of the grandma, and the grandpa, too. I believe we need to be prayer warriors and prayer teachers as we pray for our grandchildren and teach them to pray, too. I believe we need to be students of our grandchildren and know what makes them "tick". I believe we need to be mirrors who reflect a positive view to our grandchildren of who they are; loved gifts from the hand of God!

I also believe we need to be "pointers" who are focused and intentional about pointing the ones we love to Jesus. This is vitally important for us to do, because if they do not choose to love, know and follow God, then nothing else matters. We need to do this from their youngest ages and throughout their lives and do so when we . . .

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day from Grandmas with Heart. We, as grandmas, are blessed to see the impact a godly dad and grandpa are able to make on the generations who come behind. Thank you for handing down the faith - it matters what you do.

Happy Father's Day!

#grandpas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

The "Role" of Grandma - Become a "Student" of Your Grandchildren

When I think about the "role" of
grandma, I do believe it is essential for me to become a "student" of my grandchildren. It is my job, my "role", to get to know them and what makes them "tick".

This matters so much, for several reasons. Consider the following . . .

Abba Father,

Today, we pray and give thanks for our grandchildren’s earthly fathers. We pray, like David, they will be men after Your own heart, men walking in obedience to Your will (Acts 13:22). Let them draw deeper into Christ’s love every day.

We pray they rely on You for the wisdom, courage, knowledge and skills they need to be good parents and strong role models. Guide them as they provide for their family’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Help them protect their loved ones by drawing safe and healthy boundaries.

The "Meanwhiles" in Life

Life has its wonderful moments - sometimes they last for longer than just a moment. Life also has its difficult and challenging times; sometimes times which are even horrible. This is true for us and for the ones we love.

I'm writing a new book (The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down the Faith) and in it I take a look at Joseph . . . today I thought I'd share a bit of it with you.

"Every grandparent will want to read It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren, not because you don't want to spoil them, but because you want to help your grandchildren grow God's way. Grandparenting is a special gift from God, and as a grandparent, I am deeply grateful for this awesome gift. But I also want to maximize the gift, and this book will help me, and you, with this challenge."

And, on July 7th you will be able to get the Kindle copy for free! Stay tuned for the link.

The "Role" of Grandma - Be a "Mirror"

I've been thinking and talking about the "role" of grandma for the past couple days. Before I write more about this today, I do want to say, these "roles" are also for grandpas and parents, too. They are the "roles" for grandparents and parents - the two most influential people in the lives of the children we love, but since I'm a grandma, I am writing this from the perspective of a grandma.

When I attended the first meeting for people interested in beginning a ministry which called grandparents to hand down a heritage of faith to their grandchildren - and became known as the Legacy Coalition - almost four years ago, one of the speakers said grandparents have a very important role in the family and in the life of the grandchildren; because the way a grandparent sees their grandchildren is the way the grandchildren will see themselves. We are a mirror, of sorts, to help our grandchildren see themselves as God sees them - oh so loved and valued!

The Power in Prayer

Aren't you so thankful for the truth in this quote from Max Lucado! Our prayers, whether they are eloquent or awkward, do not depend upon us. They depend upon God and He has the power, and will, to hear, listen and answer our prayers.

So when you feel able to pray and have the words to say; pray. When you do not feel able to pray and do not have the words to say; pray. The power of your prayers is not found in the words you say.

What is the role of a grandma? When I ask my grandsons what a grandma's "job" is, they tell me things like - hugging, making cookies and saying, "I love you!" I agree with them; these are all important things for a grandma to do, but what is the role of a grandma? What are the most important, absolutely essential things we are supposed to do as grandmas?

Important question. And the answers matter, too, because while the things my grandsons think are important - loving and making cookies - are important, the role of grandma is much more than these things.

So, for the coming few days, I want to look at the role of grandma. I want to think and talk about what a grandma needs to do . . . and I'd most sincerely appreciate your comments - please share what you think about the things I identify as the role of grandma and let me know what you consider to be part of the role of grandma as well.

Be a Bubushka for Your Grandchildren

I recently read in my Grandmother's Bible a devotion by Joni Eareckson Tada. In it she said, "When Ken and I were in Russia . . . we met many Russian 'babushkas'. The praying grandmothers . . . the stalwart saints of whom Stalin had cruelly said, 'If we can get rid of these old women, we will have the youth in our grasp.' Stalin failed. And thank God for praying grandmothers who served as a link, spanning a generation lost to atheism and connecting a new generation of young people who are asking open, honest questions about Jesus."

Then the prayer for the day, "Father of all ages, as gray hairs abound, may righteousness abound. May I never resent the encroaching years, but view them as an opportunity to deepen my life of praise and intercession."

Do you have grandchildren who are starting out on a new "journey" in their life? Perhaps they are heading to Kindergarten in the Fall, or Middle School, or High School? Maybe they will be going to college and even moving away from home? Or maybe a new job is on their horizon? Perhaps they are getting married or are about to experience the birth of their own family? Whether it is a new school, new town, the start of a new family, or any point in their life between these big things, your grandchildren are able to trust the One Who will lead them on the right and straight path.

I grew up in a time when each Sunday in church we sang the old hymns; It Is Well With My Soul, The Old Rugged Cross, Amazing Grace, Just As I Am - old songs where the lyrics were sound and they challenged and encouraged us in our walk with God. I loved these songs then - and still love them today.

I also love the newer praise songs, but today I want to share one of my favorite hymns with you, and some thoughts about how these lyrics encourage grandparents; but first some background on the author – Frances Havergal. She lived in the mid to late 1800's and wrote a number of hymns. In 1876 she became quite ill; many thought she would die, but she was not upset or afraid. Instead she had great peace and wrote the song, "Like a River Glorious" - one of my favorites!

Well That Did It . . . Now I Feel Old!

I recently turned 58 . . . it seems strange to type this and then see those words! "I recently turned 58??!!!" Well, in all honesty, those words don't make me feel as old as I feel when I think the following . . . "I remember back when I was a child how people seemed to have a better sense of values."

Well, that did it. Now I feel old!

What is prayer? We talk a lot about prayer here on Grandmas with Heart, but what is prayer, really? Is it the words we say to tag on the end of an activity or day; or the words we say at the start of an activity or day?

Yes, we know it is taking the time to talk with God, but do we pray as a way to let others know what we are thinking - or what we know; or do we just truly talk with God, and others may be listening in? Is prayer the thing we do to put the final touch on "something" or is it the foundation upon which we build the "something" - the main ingredient? Is prayer the thing we take time for, because we are believers and we have to, but we really think we know what to do and what we want, so the words are just what we "say"?

What is prayer?

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