Becoming Better Grandparents

 

But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Luke 18:16 (NIV)

I just finished reading a “children’s book” - at least that is how it is disguised with wonderful illustrations and stories from children.  I became aware of this book after hearing the author give a presentation on the January Series from Calvin University.  I was left with a lingering question of how this applies to my grandparent status?  I looked back at my musings on this blog and for new information to integrate.  Here is one example:

“We have the ability to create bonfires of belonging wherever we go. We can also lose this gift if it isn’t carefully tended to. Together, we can help remind one another of our place at the fire.”

The wisdom of children made me very grateful for the blessing of children in my life.  It comes in the form of unexpected gift of chocolate-covered strawberries and a first date to a restaurant eating “tater tots”.  It comes with interrogation; “What is your favorite drink”?  It comes with doing paint by number and hearing, “It doesn’t have to be perfect.”. 

The “back nine” of life has some wonderful grandparent surprises!

Marvin

References:

Montague, Brad. Becoming Better Grownups (p. 86). Penguin Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. 

Calvin University January Series

https://calvin.edu/directory/series/brad-montague

Hage, M. L. (2015). Healing Grandparents.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2015/10/healing-grandparents.html

Hage, M. L. (2016). Healing Mission.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2016/10/healing-mission.html

Plans

 What’s the plan?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, 

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Planning seems different for me this year particularly in the context of the Covid pandemic.  Can we really make plans?  Are plans only for the young?

I just finished two books that address “planning” from both an institutional and personal viewpoint.  These two authors with Duke University Divinity School ties are not naive about the difficulties.  What I think each author would agree with is that the God we worship does provide the Grace and Love that sustains us.  What is always in question is our responses to a God that is chasing after us.  

We engage in God’s work when we find the connection with our specific gifts.  The good news is that God’s plans are not age or or pandemic dependent realities.

Thanks be to God for the promise of plans for our lives.

Marvin

References

Jones, L. G., & Hogue, A. P. (2021). Navigating the Future. Abingdon Press.

Bowler, K. (2021). No Cure for Being Human. Random House

Hage, M. L. (2016). Healing Mission.

http://healingagents.blogspot.com/2016/10/healing-mission.html