Rockstar GrandparentSýnishorn

“Out-of-Retirement Teacher”

We all know stories of young men and women who grew up in challenging situations but, as adults, chose a different path and were highly successful. And the opposite is true. We know adults who were taught well by their parents but tossed their value system out the win­dow for a contrary lifestyle. Because this is true, there is never a reason to stop teaching our children well. 

The Bible makes this very clear in Deuteronomy 4:9–10, where we are told to pass on what we have learned about the Lord to our children and grandchildren, so that they will follow God and become godly teachers to children in their turn.

In yesterday’s devotional, we looked at the importance of family and how family is our first look at community. If we don’t show our children and grandchildren how to do life according to God’s plan, who will? This means that, as adults, we are in teaching mode nearly all the time.

I realize this can be exhausting. I understand that sometimes we just do not want to be responsible anymore. I remember those days as a mom when I didn’t want my children to say my name ever again! I was overwhelmed with “Mom,” “Mom,” “Mom” being said by three needy children. Then they stopped calling my name so much. Then they grew up. Before I knew it, they were making decisions on their own and ap­plying the things I taught them. And they didn’t need me so much.

Soon the grandkids came along and I became 2-mama. I once again put on my teaching hat and waited to be needed to answer a question or teach a lesson or show how to make or mend something. Teaching our children to live by the code we have lived by is the number-one goal we should have in life—before making a lot of money, sticking to any diet, building a new house, running in a mara­thon, or anything else.

Will all of them get it? Maybe not. It’s not our responsibility for them to get it, but it is our responsibility to give it.

Rockstar grandparent, take action! Keeping in mind the stages of life your grandchildren are in, the next time you’re together, plan to share a story about your past that could become a teachable moment for their own lives.