Courageous Grandparenting Blog Archives - Page 9 of 17

Four Kinds of Christian Grandparents – Part One

The first ever national Grandparenting Summit (conference) in Frisco, Texas is history. What an amazing experience being part of a movement of God to call an army of godly grandparents to a life of intentionality that matters for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Larry Fowler, CEO of the Legacy Coalition, and the man behind the vision for the movement, gave a stirring challenge to all of us from the very first session to stand up and declare our commitment to this cause. At the end of this blog I will share that Declaration written by Larry, but embraced by hundreds of attendees at this conference.

Before we look at that declaration, I thought it would be valuable to share some of Larry’s thoughts about four different kinds of Christian grandparents. I would urge you to consider them and ask yourself which one best describes you. Here we go…

Is Advent Part of Your Family’s Traditions?

by Cavin Harper

Traditions for the sake of tradition tend toward irrelevance. However, traditions rooted in meaning and purpose, when observed with intentionality and some measure of creativity, can be transformational. Advent is one of those traditions. It is also one often neglected or ignored.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent on the Church calendar. Historically it was a time set aside to help believers prepare to receive the fullness of Jesus’ coming. This time of preparation stands in stark contrast to the chaotic and greed-centric practices of Americans today rushing to snatch the best deals offered by equally greedy merchants as soon as the Thanksgiving meal is done. In the Advent season we find a time to pause and reflect on something so profound and remarkable as the coming of Messiah to redeem those who receive Him, and the coming again of Messiah to claim His redeemed.

Preparation for Advent is more than lighting the candles of the Advent wreath and quoting some scriptures.

The Tattoo Principle

by Cavin Harper

I will make every effort to see that after my departure
you will always be able to remember these things. 2 Peter 1:15

What do tattoos and intentional grandparents have in common?

Valerie Bell, CEO of Awana, addressed 800 grandparents last week at the National Legacy Grandparenting Summit in Frisco, Texas, explains the common thread.

“It is important that grandparents tattoo the truth of God’s love and grace on their hearts because there is a battle for the heart of a child in the world.” She shared a vivid illustration of how making an impression upon a child’s heart is much like a tattoo artist’s needle. His needle pricks the skin repeatedly—up to 3000 times per minute—injecting an insoluble ink to create a permanent image. In the same way, intentional grandparents repeatedly prick the heart of their grandchildren with the stories of God’s truth and grace.

Remember! Do not forget! Impress upon their hearts! The command to remember is throughout the Bible, and the key to remembering is repetition. Read more

Cultivating a Legacy of Remembrance

by Cavin Harper

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely
so that you do not forget. (Deut. 4:9)

Which is easiest to remember—the positive things that have happened to you, or the negative, painful things? We have a propensity as human being to remember the negative things more easily than the positive ones. In fact, researchers say that we could have nineteen positive experiences during any given day, and one negative one, but it will be the negative one we will most remember and dwell on.

Remembering requires intentionality. It is the constant warning of prophets and patriarchs. “Be careful”, “watch yourself closely”, “do not forget”, remember”! Why? Because we are so prone to wander and forget who God is and what He has done in the past. And that has devastating consequences.

Janet Thompson, author of Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture, says, “If we don’t remember what God already has done, we won’t believe what he is capable of doing in the future. Memory builds faith… Most [believers] don’t intentionally forget God; they just don’t try hard enough to remember him.” (pg. 21) Read more

This Isn’t What I Expected

by Cavin Harper

Being a Grandparent of a Child with Special Needs

Emily Pearl Kingsley wrote an article in 1987, called Welcome to Holland, about her journey as the mother of a child with disability. Essentially, it was about how being a parent of a child with disability is akin to planning a trip to Italy, only to find out that the plane you were on was actually destined for Holland, an entirely different place and culture than you had planned.

The point of her article was that we all have certain expectations about what the parenting journey will be like. For the parents of children with disability, it is important to understand that the change of destination in whatever dreams a parent may have is just a different place—not better or worse, just different. She concludes by saying, “if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn‘t get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland.”

What Shapes Your Legacy of Truth?

by Cavin Harper

I’ve asked permission from my friend, Ken Summers, former Colorado State Representative, pastor and Executive Director of Teen Challenge for the Rocky Mountains to share with you his perspective on a legacy of truth that we as grandparents ought to be leaving for another generation. I think you will find his thoughts from 2 Peter an important challenge about something worth thinking about. –Cavin Harper, Executive Director for CGN

“Therefore I will always remind you about these things…” See 2 Peter 1:12-15

While attending GrandCamp with my grandson this past summer, a grandmother was there with two of her grandchildren. The grandmother’s father had just passed away a month before the camp. All of them had lived together in the same house before his passing.

During the Blessing ceremony at the conclusion of GrandCamp, the grandmother reminded her grandchildren of Great-Gramp’s two verses he often quoted to the children. He would remind them that Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” (Deuteronomy 31:6) and “He [God] is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

I was impressed by the potential power of those two verses upon the lives of these young children as they grow into adulthood. It caused me to think. These two verses may not be my ‘top ten’ in the Bible, but they most certainly are two important truths which show how the power of God’s Word serves as an anchor for faith and focus.

Should You Be a Surrogate Grandparent?

by Cavin Harper

I am pleased to introduce you to Judy Gann, surrogate grandmother to Hailey, daughter of David and Andie. I was so touched by Judy’s story, that I asked her permission to share it with you. I know you will be blessed by her story… and, convicted to follow her example. –Cavin Harper, CGN Executive Director

“God sets the lonely in families…” (Psalm 68:6)

Sometimes God takes a deep longing of our hearts, a lost dream, and remolds it into something far beyond anything we can imagine. He certainly did that for me.

I always had wanted to be a wife and mother. I dreamed of the day I would have children of my own. When I became a Christian I prayed for a godly husband and children. God, however, had other plans for my life, and I remained single. Although the Lord has given me a full, purposeful life, and a loving church family, there was a void in my life as I watched my friends with their children and then, grandchildren. At times I yearned for the family I lacked.

Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

by Cavin Harper

Courtesy BedBugs.org

Most of us can remember our mothers or grandmothers tucking us into bed at night and whispering, “Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” As a child I never took that warning seriously. It was just something they said at bed time. I never imagined that bed bugs were real… it was something adults made up.

Now I know differently. Bed bugs are real, and in recent years they have become an increasingly serious problem throughout our land. My wife and I recently dealt with a serious infestation of bed bugs in my parents’ residence over a period of more than two months. Right now, some of you are probably doing what I’m doing… scratching various places on my body. Sorry about that!

But here’s the point of all this bug talk.

The Price of Foolishness

by Cavin Harper

According to Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is supreme…” In fact, we are told it is so critical we should pursue getting wisdom “though it cost all you have.” Sound advice. But what does wisdom look like and what is the price of foolishness?

From what I understand, true wisdom includes three progressions:

Knowing what is true and right;
Understanding what I am to do with this knowledge; and then…
Doing it in a way that reflects the character and glory of God.

There are plenty of ways these three factors could be applied. However, one of the best indicators of our level of wisdom may be uncovered by how we use wealth. Read more

How to Make Work a Blessing… Not Just a Job

by Cavin Harper

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
(Colossians 3:23)

Labor Day was originally established to recognize union workers. Over time it has evolved to workers in general. However, if you were to ask most Americans, you’d probably find that most people think of Labor Day as a time to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of the school year. Not much thought is given to honoring workers. When was the last time you went to a Labor Day parade?

Suggesting that Labor Day be a celebration of work would probably not generate a great deal of enthusiasm. After all, many people view work as little more than a necessity to be endured to put bread on the table and a roof over their heads. For some, work is but a means to an end—to make enough money to not work so the dream of a life of leisure can be attained.

Being a Grandparent of a Child with Special Needs

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