Your prayers are priceless.
Your devotion to the family and the little ones given to you by God is
invaluable. The Apostle Paul commends a
grandmother in the bible for her devotion and prayers over a grandson who is
used for the Kingdom
of God. Even though far away, even though next door, or
even though the natural eye sees no physical evidence of the prayers and
promises going forth to Heaven, God hears and sees your dedication and
commitment, your love and adoration for the grandchildren in your care. Lois was such a grandmother.
“Recalling
your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith,
which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and I am
persuaded now lives in you also. For
this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you
through the laying on of my hands” (2
Timothy 1:4-6). “You must continue in the things which you have learned and
been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from
childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise
for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
Timothy
grew up with either an absent or present gentile, non-believing Greek father (Acts 16: 1-3). The brothers at Lystra
and Iconium spoke well of Timothy and Paul wanted to take him along on a journey
(Acts 16:2-3). This well spoken, biblically sound, faith
filled, well versed youth was used by God in a powerful way. Who was it that was allowed to lay the
foundation for this young man, instilling and “training him up in the way he
should go as to when he is old, he will not depart from it”? (Proverbs 22:6). His mother and grandmother poured into this
youth, doing an excellent job for the Apostle Paul had heard of his reputation
and takes young Timothy with him. Timothy
was knowledgeable in the Holy Scriptures, wise beyond his years and ready to be
used for the Lord. This spiritual leader becomes a father to a young man who
did not have the imposing figure at home.
Maybe his mother and grandmother prayed for Timothy to have that male
spiritual leader in his life, that father figure he was lacking. God was not about to let this faith-filled
training, this devotion to prayer, this belief in the Almighty, and the laying
on of hands fall to the way side. This
young Timothy would be used in a mighty way.
Grandmothers are important. My children are lucky enough to have three
grandmothers, and at one time two great-grandmothers, who pray for them. My children love each of their grandmothers
and enjoy spending time with them.
Although far away, I know these grandmothers pray over my little flock
with love and care. I know they think of
my children, sending cards, gifts and skyping to see how they are. Although, only a few times a year my children
are able to see their grandmothers, I know all my mothers carry these children
with them everyday. From my own mother,
to my step-mother, to my mother-in-law, to Tommy’s grandmother, these women
have loved my children and pray over them continuously.
Grandmothers
have a vital role in the grandchildren’s spiritual lives. I know of a grandmother in my daughter’s
class who takes her little granddaughter to school, attends all the functions,
and picks her up. She is essential and
critical to this young child’s life, instilling in her grandchild the ways of
the Lord and laying the Christian foundation.
This young girl is not getting this foundation at home. God opened the door for this youth to attend
a Christian school through her grandmother.
The Lord is faithful!
This wisdom
gleaned from the elders in the church is incalculable. The wisdom you are able to pass down through
your own generation is priceless. Grandmother, your light of Christ may be the
only light your grandchildren receive.
In today’s world, that “little light” is being snuffed out in record numbers. The wisdom you’ve learned in church, your own
past experienced and the knowledge gained studying the bible can influence your
grandchildren. If you are unable to take
them to church, but are fortunate enough to spend time with them, take every
opportunity to lay hands and quietly pray.
Tell the children stories over games, repeat scriptures to the little
ones through your own life narrative. As a little girl, my sisters and I would
sit with my grandmother and listen to her stories while going through her
jewelry box.
The time
spent with your family is important.
Small, attentive questions may give you insight into the mind and heart
of today’s youth. The short amount of
time spend playing, laughing, story telling and teaching are etched in the ever
absorbent minds of the young, but behind closed doors should be powerful prayer
and fasting for these minds who are being swayed into a dark world. Pray to the Lord for the planting of Christ’s
seed in their hearts; to open the door where you can spend more time with these
precious ones. Ask the Lord to give you
the words or parables to teach without pressing hard or offending, but making
it interesting and sparking a flame for the knowledge of Jesus. Seek the Lord for his Spirit of Wisdom and
Counsel regarding the children in your care (Isaiah 11:2). The Lord will tell you what to say, how to say it and
when to say what is needed at the appropriate time.
My
grandmothers loved me, but my Memaw had a special place for me in her
heart. She would always love on me and
talk with me while we painted ceramics or attempted word search puzzles. When my Memaw passed, my sister gave me a tin
box full of pictures, a ceramic angel, a flower from her funeral and her cooking
apron. To this day, almost fourteen
years later, I can open that tin box, smell the apron and be immediately
transported back to those days of sitting, talking, laughing and painting. In your own mind, a song, a smell, a laugh,
someone’s behavior may mimic a grandparent from your own past. If you remember how special those times were,
then just imagine the impressions you are leaving on your own
grandchildren.
This is
your season as a grandparent; these grandchildren were molded and shaped from
your heritage, from the hands of the Lord and fit right just for your
arms. The spiritual heritage you can
leave behind, as Lois left young Timothy, is powerful. I encourage not to give up on your prayers.
Continue praying for those in your family, for those you can influence, the
plan and purpose God may have for your grandchildren and how you can be a godly
influence in an ungodly world. You past experience, your childhood stories, you
attentive play and biblically knowledge may be the open door the Lord needs to
walk into a child’s life. Let God use
you in an insurmountable way for his kingdom.
Allow yourself to be used by God however he chooses to grasp the
attention of this coming generation. I
pray when you leave your own tin box to a child, like me, they spend the rest
of their life smelling your presence, remembering your laugh, your stories and
the time spent together.
Let us pray and lay
these children at the foot of the Cross;
Abba Father,
I thank you
for these precious grandchildren. I am
thankful I have the opportunity to know them, watch them grow and plant a seed
in their heart for you. I pray they
learn to diminish and you increase (John
3:30). I pray these children accept the Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts
and are baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). I pray each one is used for your kingdom and
glory.
I know that
I am not the only one pray for them. The
bible declares Christ stands at the right hand of the Father interceding for us
(Romans 8:34). Give me insight into
their life, the discernment as when to pray, talk or open discussions about you
(Isaiah 11:2). My heart’s desire is
they know you and the power of your resurrection. May they be bold, unafraid and unashamed to
pick up their cross and carry it (Galatians
6:14, Matthew 16:24).
I pray for godly friends and
counselors to come along side and minister to their spirits. I pray you give them desire for worship,
prayer and fellowship to a church alive with the Holy Spirit (Psalm 27:4). May they not forget my
teaching, but keep your commands in their hearts (Proverbs 3:1). I pray they
turn their ears to wisdom, apply this understanding into their hearts and hold
onto your knowledge, protecting each one in the shelter of the Almighty (Proverbs 2).
I
praise you Lord for the opportunity to plant seeds for you. I praise you for the time I get to spend with
these little ones and I praise you for I know your word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11). In the name of Jesus of
Nazareth I pray, Amen
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