Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting

Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting: For Grandparents At Any Stage of the Journey by Lydia E. Harris (AMG Bible Studies). www.PreparingMyHeart.net

“Grandparenting is filled with joy and tears. During our times of tears, Jesus treats us with compassion. If we follow His example and act with compassion toward our grandchildren, they will be attracted to Jesus and us. And that brings us joy.”

Looking forward to becoming a Grandma is both exciting and challenging. We are aware there will be challenges, but little do we know about the ways we are to be prepared to instill in our grandchildren the virtues of a Christ-like character.

In five weeks of guided but interactive Bible Study Lessons, Lydia has thought of it all and leads us through a biblical study to:
Prepare for a New Role
Prepare to Pray
Prepare to Model a Godly Life
Prepare to Invest in Their Lives
Prepare for Joy and Tears
Prepare to Make an Eternal Impact

Not only for new grandparents, but also a great refresher and pick-me-up for weary grandparents that aren’t sure how to face or work through all of the challenges they’ve been presented. When you’ve used up all your “entertain them and do it together” ideas, you’ll find a helpful selection of new activities in the “Celebrate! Holidays and Ordinary Days” section of this book.

Also helpful are the tips on: establishing traditions with the grandkids; taking them on memory making trips; and regardless of how many grandkids you are blessed to have – making each one feel special (on birthdays, recitals, school programs, sports events, and anything that is especially meaningful to that child).

And most important is the emphasis on praying – not only for our grandchildren but with our grandchildren. An old saying is “More is caught than taught.” And this is certainly true of teaching grandchildren to pray.

When my five grandchildren are gathered around our dining table and we ask, “Who’d like to say the blessing?” It is normally a race to see who can answer first – and much of the time it’s a tie and two children pray for the meal and the day and all that concerns them.

Lydia says, “We touch God’s heart and impact lives through prayer.” She also reminds us, “God promises to go before us: ‘I will go before you and will level the mountains’ (Isaiah 45:2). Whenever we come to a new day or a new problem, God is already there.”

This would make a great gift for yourself, a friend who needs help and encouragement in their grandparenting role, or someone about to welcome their first grandchild.