Grandmas with Heart: June 2020

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Remember what Matters Most

When God gifts children to our lives, along with the great joy comes great responsibilities. We need to remember what matters the most - seeing those children grow to be adults who know, love and follow God. This is what really matters.

It is easy to think as we approach retirement, or actually become retired, our time is now for us. We may think it is finally time for us to travel, play golf, or just enjoy the years we have remaining however we choose; but this is a very short-sighted way to look at the last years we have on this Earth.

Be in Their Lives Today

I sincerely believe we grandparents are able to make a significant and lasting difference in the lives of our grandchildren when we prioritize being involved in their lives. I believe with all my heart it matters for us to be intentional when it comes to handing down our faith to these grandchildren given to us by God. There are reasons I believe these things - some of them are . . .

Linda Ranson Jacobs is one of our Grandmas with Heart, and her book the single parent confident and successful is our June Book of the Month - and is available at this link. If you have not yet added it to your library - whether you are a single parent or grandparent, or not, today is a great day to do so. This book is packed with solid and helpful info if you are a single parent, grandparent, or not!

For example, in her book, Linda explains how as Creator of everything, God had an amazing, perfect plan for all He created; including you and I and the ones we love. He made the incredible choice to love us and He wants us to love Him back. But, He does not force any of us to do so. It is a choice He allows us to make; and the ones we love as well.

Praise is the heartbeat of a rich prayer life. With this in mind, let us take time today to offer praise and thanksgiving to Christ, our Savior and King . . .

Teach Faithfulness

Throughout our lives we have no doubt experienced situations where people were not faithful - where they did not do the right thing, the thing they said they would do. This will be true for our grandchildren as well. It matters for us to be faithful in doing and modeling faithfulness to them throughout their lives, so they know what it means to be faithful. When they think of someone who is faithful - we want them to think of us.

If we have older grandchildren, they are possibly stressing over the unknown parts of their soon-to-arrive future - the return to school or start/return to college. The last school year ended in the most unexpected way and many of our grandchildren not only had to finish their year at home, but many have not been able to get together with their friends for months. These are certainly big things to them.

Please Share Your Opinion

My grandsons and I have been working on a new book about amazing, unique, and surprising animals, but we are not sure what to name the book. If you would please take a moment to respond to this survey, we would most sincerely appreciate your input! Thank you! (The cover will likely look like this photo - with the name which will best fit!) You will find the survey at this link.

See It All Through Their Eyes

My grandsons love rocks. When they find an interesting rock, they are pretty happy about it. While to me it may just look like a rock, to them it is a treasure. Because rocks are so special to my grandsons, I see them now it an entirely different light.

As grandma (and grandpa, too) we are an example to our grandchildren - whether we are thinking about it, or not. The way we respond to stress, frustration, difficult situations, and the positive times in life as well, is something our grandchildren see. They notice. What we do speaks far louder than what we say, so the things we do, and the things we say, make an impact and leave an example.

True Love is Spelled G-I-V-E

We know true love is spelled "g-i-v-e". We know this. Our grandchildren know this as well. It matters for us to be generous when it comes to showing this true love by the ways we give - consider the following . . .

As grandmas (and grandpas, too) we know there are times when our grandchildren will ask questions which leave us laughing. There are times when they will ask questions which leave us wondering where they possibly came up with their question. They will sometimes ask us questions which result in meaningful conversations. There are also times when their questions reveal a deep need or concern.

Remember & Fight Some More

Last year we had a guest pastor at my church; Kyle Brown. He taught from Nehemiah and he said the "point" of his message was for us to remember Who is fighting for us, remember for whom we are fighting, get up and fight some more.

Oh yes, our lives are able to make a difference, an eternal difference when we devote our lives to the glory of God!

Don't you find this encouraging? I sure do!

Make a Blessings Book

When it comes to blessings, we are certainly able to put our children and grandchildren at the top of our blessings list. We know we have much for which to be thankful - especially when we think of them.

Today I want to share something Steve and Valerie Bell shared with us at a meeting where the Legacy Coalition began. They said when it comes to raising children, parents focus on peace. They want to get through the day in as peaceful a way possible - a peaceful day is a good day. Parents need to provide a peaceful setting for their home; a peaceful place for children to grow up. Peace is the bottom part of a "triangle" - and gives a firm base of foundation for their family.

Virtual Grand Camp!

Sherry Schumann and Cathy Jacobs are two of our Grandmas with Heart. They are also two grandmas who lead a GrandCamp each year for their church. This year with covid-19, they decided to make this year's GrandCamp a Virtual GrandCamp and open it up to any grandparent, anywhere, so they are able to use it with their grandchildren. Today I am so delighted to share the information you need to make a Virtual GrandCamp part of what you do with your grandchildren this summer!

Certainly as grandmas (and grandpas, and parents, too) we pray for our grandchildren and children. This is one of the most important things for us to do, but we need to know praying is not just about talking with God. It also includes being ready to move and get involved in the answer as well.

Grandmas DO Make a Difference

Do you ever wonder if you actually make a real and lasting difference in the lives of your grandchildren? Well, you absolutely are able to make a difference in their lives and Eunice Crosby shows us this.

According to dictionary(dot)com, carpe diem means . . .

Seize the day; enjoy the present, as opposed to placing all hope in the future.

While we certainly want to "seize the day", we also need to be sure we do so with an eye to, and hope in, the future. We are able to make meaningful investments in our grandchildren by being involved in their lives as much as we are able. What we say and do matters. The time we spend with them - whether in person or through tech - matters. The difference we are able to make in their lives matters.

Father's Day Prayer

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. Let them draw deeper into Christ’s love every day.

While our grandchildren are apt to meet and benefit from the influence of people throughout their lives, none are able to make more of an impact and influence them more than their dad and grandpa. So, Thank you for guiding with your love the children we all love.

Happy Father's Day!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

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!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Help Our Grandchildren Have a "Faith History" of Their Own

Our grandchildren absolutely need to hear us talk about how God has been faithful to us yesterday. They need to hear us point out how He is faithful to us today. They also need to hear us share why we believe God will be faithful to us tomorrow. They need to hear these things.

But, they also need to remember how God has been faithful to them yesterday. They need to see how God is faithful to them today. When they remember and see these things, they will be able to believe God will be faithful to them tomorrow.

No matter what life brings our way, we are absolutely able to know and hold on to the truth about how God is always faithful. He will bring blessings from challenges and He will stay with us through the challenges. He is faithful.

Faithfulness. God always does what He says He will do. This is faithfulness and I for one depend upon, and am ever so thankful God is Faithful.

The Bible is full of true accounts of real people, just like us and how our very real God showed His love, grace, and faithfulness to them. These accounts help us understand how He shows His love, grace, and faithfulness to us as well.

We Have a Mandate from God

Nature shows us God is real and He loves us - just look at the design in everything from the tiniest creature to the largest - and everything in-between. God did not have to create the vast array of plants, animals, colors, fragrances, food, etc. He could have left the Earth with just a couple animals, one color - a very basic world. But He did not. He created a colorful, interesting, amazing world in which we are able to live - and enjoy His creation. Yes, His creation definitely draws people to Him!

We grandmas, and grandpas, have the remarkable opportunity to hand down the faith to the children He has placed into our lives. And as grandparents, we are able to make a significant impact on their lives - if we take the action to do so.

Don't Give Up!

When we hand down the faith to our grandchildren, we are purposeful about telling them the things God has done for us throughout our lives. But, we also have to tell them about the times when God did not answer a prayer the way we hoped and about the times when we had no idea what He was doing - or not doing.

We as grandmas (and grandpas, too) have lived a few years. As believers we have been led by God throughout our lives and we have examples of how He has led us, to which we are able to hold. Examples which give us courage and hope when we face the road ahead of us. Examples which give us happiness.

Don't Neglect Our Unspeakable Privilege

I love this quote from David Jeremiah - it is so true. We grandmas (and grandpas, too) know our time to influence our grandchildren (and grown children) is short, definitely too short. We absolutely are not able to neglect our unspeakable privilege in loving, nurturing, shaping and preparing the ones we love to face, and live in our world.

We know our eyes speak volumes - we certainly see this when our grandchildren smile with their eyes twinkling or if they are angry it often shows in their eyes. Our love for our grandchildren is something which they are able to see in our eyes - as well as if we are angry or sad about something as well. Our eyes are a powerful way to communicate with our grandchildren - we need to think about this as we interact with them.

Pray & Believe the Truth

When it comes to handing down the faith, there are things we are not able to do. We are not able to draw the ones we love to God or give them tender hearts which are quick to listen to, believe, and follow God. But, while we are not able to do these things, God is. We are able to talk with God about the ones we love and He has promised to hear, and answer . . .

I love this quote from Linda Ranson Jacobs - there are days when I need to remember this . . . don't we all? We all have those moments when things do not seem to be working out, when it feels like our prayers are not being answered, and the challenges just increase. But, the truth is even when we are not able to see what He is doing, God is still working in our lives - and in the lives of the ones we love.

Be "That Place"

As grandmas (and grandpas, too) we absolutely want our home to be "that place". By this I mean we want our home to be the place where . . .

As a grandma there are many things I do for and with my grandsons. We play games – from hide-and-seek when they were little (it always made me laugh when I’d count and then say; “Ready or not, here I come! Oh where, oh where could my sweet boys be?” and then they would say; “Under the table.”, or “In the closet!” or wherever they were, “hiding”!) to now playing chess with them – they like to play chess with me, because they nearly always win!

We make crafts, we do science projects, we cook, we read books, we write our own stories, and we do fun things. While as time goes by, the things we do together will change . . . we do not play hide-and-seek now as we once did, there are things I will always do for them - of the these things, praying for my grandsons is one of the single most powerful and important things I will do throughout their lives.

So, with this in mind, today I want to share with you my prayer for my grandsons from Psalm 95 – which I personalized into the following prayer . . .

Happy Children's Day!

Today is Children's Day - yes, this is a real holiday . . . "Children’s Day observations in the United States predate both Mother’s and Father’s Day. The day to celebrate children dates from the 1860s and earlier. The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Methodist Conference of 1868 recommended the second Sunday in June be observed annually as Children’s Day. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1883 designated the 'the second Sabbath in June as Children’s Day'

Have you ever written something in cement, or made an impression in wet cement? In relation to people who act for a living, being able to have their "own" square on the Hollywood walk of "fame" means they are able to make an impression of their handprints into the cement along with their signature. It is a big deal for them.

Remember the Beautiful Moments

Throughout our lives there will be moments which are so wonderful we will want to remember them always. Do remember them always. They are gifts from God.

God has work He has given us to do. If we have children and grandchildren, then God has given them to us for us to hand the faith to them. The experiences of our lives are the preparation we need to do this work.

They are Waiting for You

What I am writing today applies to all grandmas (and grandpas and parents, too), but today I am writing especially for those grandparents who do all they know to do to hand down the faith, but there comes a time when the ones they love turn away from faith - particularly if this is something you never thought would happen. It is so easy in this situation to feel like you failed and like you just do not know what to do at this point, but please take this quote from Catherine Booth (she and her husband founded the Salvation Army) to heart. You have been put here on the Earth, where you are, when you are, and with the people you are for a reason. You are not an accident. Your family is not an accident. God put you here for the ones you love. But, if you feel discouraged still, please allow God's Word to speak to your heart . . .

"Unconditional Love". These are two of the most powerful words in our language. We know what "Love" is, but what about the word, "Unconditional"? Well, dictionary(dot)com defines it as -

Trust God Completely

Since we know for certain God loves the ones we love; the children and grandchildren He gave to us, we are absolutely able to trust God completely with their lives - even in, or especially in, turbulent times such as the ones in which we are living today.

As I've mentioned a time or two before, it is likely there are more days behind us than there are before us. For this reason we grandmas need to "grandma" on purpose. We must have a plan. We need to make the most of the days we have before us, and need to both be watching for opportunities to hand down the faith and we need to plan special opportunities to do this as well.

Impact the Ones We Love

So far 2020 had brought with it many unexpected moments, events, happenings, but along with these things, it has given us the opportunity to impact the generations behind us by proving our faith in Christ is real and works - even in, or especially in, these difficult, challenging times.

One of the most important and essential things we are able to do as grandmas (and grandpas/parents, too) to make a real, significant and important difference in the lives of our grandchildren is to pray for and with them.

Teach Them to Run to God

It is clear we are able to say so far 2020 has shaped up in ways none of us would have ever imagined with covid-19, quarantine, home school, protests, riots, and focus upon making needed changes in the way people are treated in this country. Adults struggle to deal with all these things, so it is not surprising if the children we love may feel afraid, uncertain, lonely, and sad. If ever there was a time to teach the children we love to run to God, certainly this is it.

We know handing down the faith means we pray for the children we love. We know handing down the faith means we teach the children we love about God, His Word, how they are able to believe in Him and trust His Word with confidence. We know handing down the faith means we take the children we love to church and provide opportunities for them to learn to serve others. All these things are part of what we mean when we talk about handing down the faith. It also includes helping these children learn to be people who walk and talk with God on their own.

Do It. Make the Difference. Do What Matters.

In the past few weeks and months we have experienced how one person is able to make a difference when it comes to spreading covid-19 and when it comes to standing up, listening, and bringing about change in our country for how people of color are treated. These are important things for us to do and talk about with the children we love. One person is able to make a difference - this is something we have been able to see.

I know. You have read, repeatedly, how I believe you are able to make a significant, real and lasting difference in the lives of your grown children and grandchildren. More than one time you have read over the past three years how I believe what you do as a grandma (or grandpa or parent) most certainly matters. It is nothing new for you to read how it is of utmost importance for you to hand down the faith. There is a reason for these things . . . because they are true. You are able to make a significant, real and lasting difference in the lives of your grown children and grandchildren, what you do as a grandma (or grandpa or parent) most certainly matters and it absolutely is the truth when I write about how it is of utmost importance for you to hand down the faith.

You do make a difference. You do matter. You are able to do the thing which is of utmost importance.

I'm working with my three grandsons on a new book which takes a look at animals and the amazing, unique, and surprising features which show God designed them. I have to tell you, there are so many truly incredible, cool things in creation and they all show intentional design - it is so fun to research and discover them!

Help Give a Sense of Worth

I like this saying from Mr. Rogers; it certainly applies to today. We need to be people who talk and live in a way which shows all others they are worthwhile; and we need to model this to the children we love, so they do the same.

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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Monday, June 29, 2020

Sunday, June 28, 2020

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Friday, June 26, 2020

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Monday, June 22, 2020

Sunday, June 21, 2020

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Friday, June 19, 2020

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Monday, June 15, 2020

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Friday, June 12, 2020

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

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