A Grandmother's Prayer

Yesterday was National Grandparents Day. I didn't know that it indeed is a real holiday established by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Celebrated on the first Sunday after Labor Day, it was created to honor the importance of families and to strengthen intergenerational bonds. I don't think it has gained much of a following, except by the greeting card companies, but the idea has merit. 

Many people no longer have their grandparents. My grandmothers have been gone since I was a young adult. My grandfather Springer died before I was born and grandfather Hilsabeck died when I was in high school. My memories of them consist of visits but not much interaction. My father was an only child so we spent more time with his mother, Elma Springer. She was a strong woman of faith.

Paul wrote to his beloved "son" Timothy, from prison, to encourage his faith and offer his final instructions as Paul faced death. In Paul's final letter he wrote about Timothy's faithful lineage.

"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," (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV).

I love what my Study Bible says about sharing faith with our families. "Don't hide your light at home: our families are fertile fields for planting gospel seeds. Let your parents, children, spouse, brothers, and sisters know of your faith in Jesus, and be sure they see Christ's love, helpfulness, and joy in you." (Life Application Study Bible NIV, footnote for 2 Timothy 1:5).

This reminds me of my role as a grandparent. Every chance I get, I need to share my faith with my grandchildren. I need them to know I pray for them daily. My greatest desire is for all my grandchildren to be believers in Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins. Lord, I often pray Paul's prayer to the Ephesians for my grandchildren. I pray: "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV). I pray this for all our grandchildren, in Jesus' Holy Name, Amen.