Ministries:
Adult | Teens | Children

Pastor's Pen's:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

Sermon Series:
Following Jesus
Earthly Cross
His Name Is
Apostles Creed
Dealing with Feelings
Jonah
Get Real
Promised Land Living

Grace Church
257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105

(262) 763-3021

Email:
Pastor Scott Carson

Secretary Patti Hall

PASTOR'S PENS 2004

Grace Church of Burlington January 18, 2004 “One of the great mysteries of life is how the boy who wasn't considered good enough to marry the daughter can be the father of the smartest grandchild in the world.”         Recently, because of some family situations, I was thinking about my grandparents and the wonderful influence that they had on my life. While many of the approximately 50 million grandparents in the United States play an increasing role in American families, sadly, far too many have little contact with their grandchildren. Yet bringing the generations together has phenomenal benefits for both young and old. Grandparents can serve as role models, teachers, nurturers, providers and mentors. And it is physically, spiritually and emotionally healthy for children to have a close relationship with someone at the opposite end of the age spectrum. Experts agree that the grandparent‑grandchild bond is second in emotional importance only to the bond between parents and children. Grandparents and grandchildren connect in ways very different from parents and children. They often have adoration, unconditional love and joy just in one another's existence.             It’s abnormal (and even a sin) when grandparents do not desire to be involved in the lives of their grandchildren. There are also a multitude of benefits for families who bring generations together. Children learn through close intergenerational relationships that they belong to something larger than themselves, a real blessing in our “me, me, me” world. Children whose grandparents are living the active lives typical of older adults today also want to be actively involved with them and interact with them.             Grandparents can offer unconditional love, encouragement and support. They can share their wisdom and a wealth of experience. Children absorb from their grandparents a sense of history, identity, heritage and the vital connection with the past. Their life stories will grow in value as the children become adults. Grandparents can teach values and pass on family traditions. Wise parents seek to foster strong relationships between grandparents and grandchildren. Obstacles, such as geographical location, can make family togetherness difficult, but not impossible. A recent article in one Christian periodical suggested some practical ways to strengthen this vital relationship.             A) Schedule regular multi‑generation get‑togethers. Studies show that only one‑third of grandparents live near enough to a grandchild to see him weekly.  Face-to-face contact is very important, even if it is just a few times a year.             B) Allow one‑on‑one time. Perhaps when together they can play a particular board game or go to a favorite restaurant. The more time a grandparent and grandchild share undivided attention, the more the grandchild can soak up the grandparent relationship in his heart and mind.             C) Relax. Do not try to pack too many activities into a visit or force a relationship. Simply allow things to develop naturally. Many grandparents try to entertain their grandchildren when the child’s greater need is to relate.             D) Get connected. With the Internet, grandparents and grandchildren can now play games, tell stories and do puzzles together in real time, despite the miles between them. With e‑mail, they can exchange letters and scan photos.             E) Share skills. Grandparents can teach grandchildren skills not readily taught today, such as baking, quilting or chess. In turn, children can demonstrate their skills at roller‑blading, video games or soccer.  And be creative. Grandparents and grandchildren can plant matching gardens and compare their progress. Or take turns composing a joint story and mailing the latest installment back and forth.             F) Record some memories. Some of the best memories can be made with a camera. Keep current photos of grandparents prominently displayed. You might even create a family tree, complete with photographs. Then, use video and audio options. Using video and audiotapes preserves special moments for present and future generations. Ask grandparents to tape themselves reading one of your child's favorite books. Encourage grandparents to share on tape about their journey of faith. Videotape your child at a special event or demonstrating his latest skill and send it to the grandparents.             While child‑rearing philosophies have changed over the generations, not all grandparents’ ideas are outdated. And grandparents have the perspective of already having raised children. Scripture frequently links wisdom with age and experience: "Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life" (Job 12:12). The connection between generations benefits both the young and the old. Grandchildren will keep grandparents feeling younger, and grandchildren will be wiser because of their grandparents.