Honor Your Father and Mother - Who are Now Grandparents!
In creating the family, God established a web of generational influence. This helps to ensure that His Word is passed down to our children and our children’s children. Scripture repeatedly tells us to honor our father and mother. The command is not limited to children living under the roof of their parents. Parents become grandparents, who continue to have great influence in their children’s lives as their children start families of their own. For this reason, grandparents play a vital role in our lives and help to build the family culture. There are years when grandparents are a help and support to young families. And there are declining years, when grandparents are in need of help. In all stages of their lives, grandparents offer our children wisdom, valuable experience, love, and family connection. Grandparents are worthy of honor.
Wisdom and Experience
Appreciation and respect for the senior population has declined over the years. At sixty, many are marginalized in the work force. Their voice has less influence, their experience irrelevant. Young moms seek the advice of other young moms rather than benefit from the years of experience that a grandmother or even great grandmother can offer. Young men overlook the wisdom of older men and look for help on the internet.
God speaks differently of seniors. He instructs the older to teach the younger (Titus 2:1-2), placing value on wisdom that comes with age.
Wisdom comes from the Lord (James 1:5). Therefore, it is possible for young men and women to possess wisdom “beyond their years”. But the cliché implies, that wisdom is usually accompanied with age and experience. Long life, offers wisdom that comes with years of observing, of seeking God, and watching His plans unfold. It comes with a life lived and hindsight. Wisdom is described in Proverbs 3:15-17; “She [wisdom] is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Wisdom is a treasure of great worth and desirable above all things. Proverbs also tell us “the wise will inherit honor.” While age does not guarantee wisdom, the two are closely tied.
Love and Family Connection
In addition to wisdom and experience, our children benefit from the love and family connection that grandparents offer. Some report that the grandparent-grandchild relationship is second only to the parent-child relationship in terms of emotional significance. 
The loving relationship with grandparents provides a unique acceptance that gives children a sense of belonging and worth. Family connection helps to reinforce family values and beliefs providing a firm foundation for child development. Instilling a love and respect for grandparents strengthens the relationship further.
Since it is not the natural bent of our present culture to honor the elderly, creating opportunity for our children to spend time with grandparents can emphasize the significant role they play in our lives. The Lord commands that we honor our elders, “Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God" (1 Timothy 5:3-4). Timothy is implying that we are to take care of and honor parents and grandparents-“to make some return”, i.e., to repay and show gratitude.
Creating Opportunities to Honor Grandparents
Here are some ideas for creating opportunities for your children honor grandparents and show them care.
- If you live close to the grandparents, plan a regular time for your children to spend with them. I love getting a call to join my son and his family for dinner, a bike ride or a shopping trip. Other activities might include: park day, library visit, game day, or baking day.
- If you don’t live close to the grandparents, have your children make a phone call one day a week to catch them up on the events in their lives, use Face Time or Skype.
- Send regular texts with pictures of the grandchildren to show you are thinking of them. I receive pictures often of my grandchildren - precious spontaneous moments that are fleeting. Many of the pictures are posted at Life and Learning.
- Have your children pray for their grandparents during your family devotion time. After praying for me, my three year old granddaughter checks in for an update on her prayers.
- Discuss ways you can express your love and appreciation for grandparents. Maybe your children have ideas for showing care and respect.
- Include grandparents in special celebrations and milestones: recitals, school programs, birthdays, and graduations. My mom passed away several years ago, but it meant a great deal to our daughter that her gramma, in the midst of her fight with cancer, was able to attend her White Coat Ceremony.
- Give grandparents the place of honor at family gatherings. This could be a special place at the table, a special acknowledgement, asking them to speak or share a story of family history.
If you have a special way that you honor the grandparents or grandparent figures in your life, please leave a comment below.