Seek To Be Wise

I had never heard of National Grandparents Day until one of the ladies who helps with our social media suggested I write a blog on the topic. She said it is the first Sunday after Labor Day. This year it falls on September 11th. What an unusual set of  circumstances the day the nation honors grandparents, is also one of the most tragic dates in the history of our country. My first reaction was – do you want me to write a blog on September 11^th about being a grandparent? Is that appropriate?  The more we talked the more comfortable I became with the idea.

National grandparents day is a real thing. It was started in 1978. That’s the year I graduated from college. At that time, I wasn’t thinking about grandparents day or terrorist attacks. I was focused on getting out of college, getting a job and getting on with life. Fast forward forty something years. Today I am reflecting on the tragedy of 9/11. The evil, the senseless loss of life, the bravery of our first responders and the heroes on United Airlines Flight 77. At the same time I am reflecting on one of life’s greatest blessings, being a grandparent. One is the worst of life that brought out the best of the human spirit. The other is the best of life and an opportunity to impact the next generation.

You hear all your life how wonderful it is to be a grandparent and you think those saying it are just blowing smoke. Once you have grandchild you realize it’s 100x better  than you ever imagined. I heard one guy say if he had known how much he liked being a grandparent he would have had  the grandkids before he had kids.

One of my greatest blessings of the last three years is my grandsons. Grayson three , Bodie sixteen months. Being a grandparent is one of those things in life I can’t find the words to describe. It has to be experienced. When Grayson was born we were at the hospital and I got to hold him minutes after his birth. When I held him for the first time I felt a love I had never felt. It was no greater than my love for my sons but in some special way it was so different. Bodie was born during covid and they wouldn’t let Trisha and I in the hospital. So, we did not get to see him until they brought him home. But from the moment we saw him and held him he has filled our hearts with so much joy. Man, I love those boys!

Now I have this new adventure or calling to be Pops. Can I be the grandfather they deserve? I don’t view National Grandparents day as a day to honor me, but as a day to reflect on the awesome responsibility of being a grandparent. I gauge my responsibility based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 18:6.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Jesus was dead serious about the importance and love he has for our grandchildren. So it is important we have that same love and not cause our grandchildren to stumble or be lead in the wrong direction by our words or our example.

My grandchildren are my new motivation to “Seek To Be Wise”. Not only do I need to grow wiser, but I must live it and I must share it. I pray for guidance  to do my best as their Pops. I pray for wisdom so I avoid causing them to stumble. They deserve my best.

I share these thoughts not to tell other grandparents what to do, but to give them some things to think about.

     -Be present when you are with them.

     -Strive to give them your undivided attention.

     -Strive to be the example they should emulate

     -Guard against complacency

     -Look for ways to make them feel special

     -Pray daily for wisdom and guidance for you and for them

     -But most of all love them

   To Grayson and Bodie, Gosh and Pops love you!