Someone said, “Grandchildren are so wonderful, we wish we’d had them first.” Well, it doesn’t work that way, and children are wonderful too! The psalmist wrote: “Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them…” (Psa. 127:3-5 NASB). Then regarding grandchildren, Solomon wrote: “Children’s children are a crown to the aged…” (Pr. 17:6 NIV).
We had the opportunity to attend “Grandparent’s Day” at Santiam Christian School near Albany, Oregon a week ago and spend the day with Alicia, our daughter’s younger daughter. It was truly a wonderful day. Each class through 6th grade shares some thoughts about grandparents and then sings several songs to them. At that point we get to go to our grandchild’s classroom where they have prepared something special for their grandparents. Alicia’s class had made placemats with Proverbs 17:6 printed on them. Then each of us traced a hand on construction paper to put on the placemat and on each finger, Alicia put things about us that she appreciated. We also traced her hand and did the same. These were glued to the placemat which was then laminated for us to keep.
After that Alicia was free to leave so we could take her to lunch at the place of her choice–Arby’s. After lunch we had Alicia go with us to help pick out gifts for an “Operation Christmas Child” shoebox, a program which our church is participating in for Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse organization. Alicia had the greatest time picking out items for a girl her age.
Next we went home to change and took Alicia to a nearby tennis court to play tennis with her. (We were fortunate to have a dry day, as it rained much of the time we were there).
We also got to go see Alicia play volleyball with her team as well as to watch our other grandchildren in soccer, football and volleyball, and watch a volleyball match of high school girls that our son coaches at North Clackamas Christian School in Oregon City. It was a busy, but great week enjoying the children and grandchildren. Truly they are a “gift from God” and a “crown to the aged”! We consider ourselves so blessed to have children and grandchildren who love the Lord and are walking with Him. John wrote in his third epistle, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (v. 4). Amen!
And speaking of grandchildren, I have a funeral service today for a lady (Edith Pival) who passed away last Wednesday at age 101. She was one of the early members of Faith Bible Church which my father-in-law started here in Libby. She had 7 children (five surviving) and has 21 surviving grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 25, great-great grandchildren!! Her quiver was definitely overflowing! She knew the Lord so it will be a time of great rejoicing, but there will undoubtedly be some there who have not received Christ, so pray with me that they too will trust Him for eternal life.
Forever His,
The “aged” grandpa, Pastor Dave
