The Beautiful Gift of Grandparents: Building a Legacy of Love

There is something wonderfully different about the love of a grandparent.

Parents are busy raising children—getting them dressed, fed, educated, disciplined, and out the door on time. Grandparents often have the precious privilege of simply delighting in them.

They have time to listen to the long story. Read the same book again. Sit on the porch. Bake cookies. Go fishing. Tell family stories. Pray together.

And research increasingly suggests that these seemingly ordinary moments can have an extraordinary impact.

Caregiving researcher Neal K. Shah, co-founder of CareYaya, frequently speaks about the power of relationships between generations. Shah, whose own life was deeply shaped by his grandparents, has highlighted research on childhood resilience showing that one of the greatest protective influences in a child's life is remarkably simple: a stable, caring adult who believes in that child.

Very often, a grandparent can be that person.

Grandparents can give children something increasingly rare in our hurried world: unhurried presence.

They also give children roots.

"When your daddy was your age..."

"Your grandmother used to..."

"Let me tell you how God answered our prayers..."

Through stories like these, children begin to understand that they belong to something bigger than themselves. They inherit family history, traditions, wisdom—and, in Christian families, a heritage of faith.

Scripture recognizes this beautiful generational calling:

"We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." — Psalm 78:4

Grandparents have lived long enough to have stories of God's faithfulness that grandchildren desperately need to hear.

And perhaps that is one of the greatest blessings of grandparenting.

We don't have to entertain our grandchildren every minute. We don't have to buy them expensive things or plan spectacular outings.

Sometimes what a child needs most is simply a grandmother who listens. A grandfather who shows up. Arms that are always happy to hug them. A lap where there is always room for one more story.

And a voice that reminds them again and again:

You are loved. You belong. And God is faithful.

Carrie's Corner

Grandparents, never underestimate your influence.

Read the book. Tell the story. Make the cookies. Take the walk. Ask the questions. Put down the phone. Pray over those precious heads.

Someday our grandchildren may forget what we bought them.

But may they always remember that Grandma and Grandpa loved Jesus—and they loved me.