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Grandparents By Robert Berendt Families are made up of different generations. Grandparents have a strong role in the family and here is one example of that love and honor.
knew only one of my grandparents. My grandmother on my mother's side who we all called Oma arrived in Canada in 1952; and when I first met her, she was old. She remained old until she died at the age of 99 years. I remember the spinning wheel she would use. She saved the wool from cast-off wool garments and used it to knit slippers. My Oma had some great adventures in her life. There were many sorrows as well as joys. We children were always greeted in such a way that we felt special and appreciated. She always seemed excited to meet with us. It is vital that a child feels important and wanted -- my Oma added a new dimension to that. She had stories to tell of concentration camps, flights from advancing armies in World War I and World War II, hunger and, always, her faith in God. She could speak several languages and never stopped working. I often wondered how a person with so little and who had lost so much could remain calm and serene in her life.
A blessing Grandparents are a special blessing from God to little children -- just as little children are a blessing to their grandparents. Psalm 128:6 includes as a blessing -- seeing one's own children's children. Proverbs 17:6 states that children's children are the crown of old men. It is true that grandparents are not the parents, but in many cases, grandparents have had much to do in the raising of children. Psalm 103:17 speaks of God's mercy to one's children's children.
Grandparents are the most stable individuals in our society. They exude patience, calmness and thoughtfulness. God expects them to have learned to be diligent in learning the lessons life has taught. Grandparents have the luxury of time to show the value of stopping to smell the roses in this busy world. Not all grandparents have attained the lofty status of being wise and respected, but my Oma did and in my observations most grandparents have qualified themselves for this honor. I do not remember many physical gifts that my Oma gave to me, but I will never forget the lessons in humility, patience and giving attention to others that I experienced. The most valuable gifts we receive in life are not physical, but rather, the unseen and spiritual ones.
Learning the lessons of life Proverbs 16:31 states: "The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness." There is a condition implied here. The senior is to be obedient to God. Psalm 119:172 reveals that "all God's commandments are righteousness" -- that is, they reveal what righteousness it. During our lives we are to have learned to sort the wheat from the chaff and to grasp that which is truly valuable -- and that is the way of God. A grandparent, then, also has the responsibility to be honorable -- that is, his or her deeds make the person worthy of honor. When God inspired Moses to write that people are to "rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man" (Leviticus 19:32), He stated this with the understanding that a senior person would have learned the lessons of life.
I am an Opa (grandfather). I, too, am the only grandparent my grandchildren will ever know. It is hard to think of any greater blessing in life than to have my grandchildren write about me one day and say, "He was a great, great Opa." May that blessing be yours, too, one day! Copyright 2003 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Keywords: grandparents honorable
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