Family Blessings

Before I had grandchildren, I would read Scripture’s references to them and make no connection. But now those same verses mean a lot more, because they include names and faces.

The basic message is, “If you live to see grandchildren come into your family, you’ll be blessed beyond measure.” Jeremiah put it this way: “Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them, so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!” (29:6, NLT)

With Isaac, used on Linni's blogThe joys of grandchildren are as varied as the children themselves, and grandparents love noticing personality differences and God-given bents. With the buffer of a generation between us (our own children), we’re free to encourage and nurture them without having to participate in the more challenging tasks of parenthood, like discipline and decision-making.

But what happens if we grow into old age without any children and thus without grandchildren? Are we meant to forfeit those scriptural blessings?

I don’t think so. The key to claiming the blessing is to understand how broad the definition of the word “grandchildren” is in the Bible. One of those verses hints at it by saying, “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged.” (Proverbs 17:6) Though I dearly love my grandchildren, I wouldn’t call them a “crowning glory.” I think the words “crowning glory” have more to do with spiritual matters than physical ones.

If someone asked me, “What’s your life’s crowning glory?” I would answer, “My saving relationship with Christ.” Psalm 103 says, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies.” (v. 1 & 4) Now, that’s a crown I love wearing!

But how do we link a spiritual crown with grandchildren? I think the answer is in our parenting (and grandparenting) of spiritual children. When we lead someone to Christ, explaining salvation, then praying with them, followed by mentoring them, we become a type of parent to them. One dear friend of mine calls me her “spiritual mother,” a great honor.

If she then leads others to Christ by her testimony, those people become her spiritual children and a type of spiritual grandchildren to me. And if they, in turn, lead others, my friend becomes the spiritual grandparent.

I understand that God has no grandchildren, because he’s the Father to all believers. But by bearing witness to the reality of his love, our spiritual family can grow by generations, having nothing to do with biology and everything to do with divinity. We can delight in those generational grands that become related to us through salvation, continuing our encouraging and nurturing right into eternity.

Heaven's gateAnd then, just imagine the thrill of standing at heaven’s gate, welcoming our spiritual children and grandchildren as they arrive! That’s a jewel-studded crown of glory every one of us will be overjoyed to wear.

 

“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4)

Not-so-random Acts of Kindness

Yesterday we met Melanie, who had decided to establish a new birthday tradition for herself. She would use her day of celebration to complete 38 not-so-random acts of kindness, one for each candle on her birthday cake. After having a good time meeting her goal on her 38th birthday, Melanie let us all know, in a second email, how it went:

Hi, again!

 Just had to update you on what was a pretty terrific day. The best part was hearing from all of you who were in cahoots with me, looking for a way to bless someone in your path. Here’s some of what we were busy with this week:

  • Kindness.Made copies for someone and delivered them
  • Took time to visit an elderly man in poor health
  • Helped someone figure out their new printer
  • Wrote a letter to an old friend
  • Called up a home-bound friend for a cheerful visit
  • Let someone go first in the car line at school
  • Slowed down and asked questions about things people are interested in
  • Smiled more and frowned less
  • Donated blood
  • Secretly paid for ice cream for the next family in line
  • Swept snow off cars in the parking lot
  • Left a note, gift, and balloon by the door of someone who shares my birthday
  • Took coffee to several school employees
  • Donated to places like the Salvation Army
  • Set a floral arrangement in the lobby at school with a note
  • Wrote encouraging notes to the kids’ teachers and principal
  • Left a note for the church staff thanking them and letting them know they’re prayed for
  • Left encouraging notes for library and maintenance staff at church
  • Left helium balloons for the kids of the moms in the Bible study at church
  • Shared floral arrangements with various friends
  • Delivered helium balloons to some nearby friends
  • Left Cracker Jack boxes for mailman and neighbors
  • Paid for another person’s coffee
  • Gave away several gift cards
  • Brought dinner to a friend
  • Paid extra attention to my tone of voice and patience with my family
  • Brought cookies and a thank-you to firefighters
  • Took coffee to my in-laws

*               *               *               *               *               *               *               *               *

KindnessJust reading through this partial list of kindnesses turned out to be an act of kindness to me. It brought a special heart-glow and taught me a thing or two about simple, doable blessings all of us can pass along.

Tomorrow we’ll hear from Melanie once more as she shares how she hopes to refine her birthday project so that 39 not-so-random acts of kindness can be delivered effectively on her second annual attempt to let the light of Christ shine through.

“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22)

Random Acts of Kindness

Kindness is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Scripture. (Galatians 5:22) In other words, if we believe in Jesus, kindness ought to be pouring out of us like crazy: thoughtfulness of others, compassion toward the needy, sympathy for the grieving, consideration of another’s point of view, etc.

In recent years myriad organizations have sprung up for the sole purpose of performing “random acts of kindness” for no other reason than just to be nice. There’s even a foundation by that name (Random Acts of Kindness International), a non-profit “founded upon the powerful belief in kindness, and dedicated to providing resources and tools that encourage acts of kindness.”

Of course we don’t need the resources of a foundation to act kindly, and a while ago I received an interesting email from my friend Melanie, who’s made a serious commitment to being kind. She’s decided that every year on her birthday she’s going to devote the entire day to random acts of kindness, doing it in the name of Jesus. Here’s what she wrote:

Hello, Dear Ones! 

Acting kindToday, to mark my 38th trip around the sun, I’m going to be out and about doing (Intentional) Random Acts of Kindness, hoping to bring some sunshine into the lives of others in the community who are special or helpful or just look like they need a smile.

Would you do me the honor of joining me today and blessing someone, a friend or stranger, with an encouraging word, a smile, or some other kindness?

These are things we all try to do anyway, but today I’m going to see if I can do at least 38, and it’ll be fun to know that you’re looking for a way to spread a little love today, too. I’m starting out this morning by putting the kids’ clothes in the dryer so they are nice and warm when they put them on.

This isn’t about a pat on the back but rather: “Let your light so shine before men so they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)   

We are blessed to be a blessing!

Acts of KindnessSo Melanie determined that on her 38th birthday she would do 38 deliberate, not-really-random acts of kindness, some face-to-face, some in secret, making a commitment to add one more with each new birthday.

Then she ended her email by inviting her friend-list to reply back with ways they thought of to be kind, so the group could swap ideas and inspire each other.

Tomorrow we’ll get to see what a happy birthday she had!

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)

Praising and Praying with Mary

  1. I’m praising God that our 11th grandchild may arrive in the next few days!
  2. Please pray about feeding-tube-frustration. Today’s appointment with the specialist resulted only in being turned over to an appointment with a surgeon on Thursday.