Grandparents, Leave a Positive Legacy

The United States sets aside the first Sunday after Labor Day to honor grandparents — Grandparent’s Day. I have very few memories of my own grandparents as they all passed on when I was very young but one thing I do remember is that they were people to be respected in a special way. And, though I didn’t directly benefit from their input into my life, I have been indirectly affected because of their influence on my parents . . . the legacy my grandparents passed on through my parents.

The Kind of Legacy Passed on Through Grandparenting

Scripture makes it clear that grandparents pass on a legacy that can have either a positive or negative effect for generations to come (Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:17). If you’re a grandparent, certainly you should want to be a blessing rather than a curse to your grandchildren. Certainly you should want them to honor you because of true appreciation and love for you, not because they’re told to be respectful.

Positive Legacy? – The legacy of grandparents can be for eternal good as seen in the example of Timothy whose mother and grandmother passed on their faith by rooting him in God’s Word (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-17).

But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children … (Ps. 103:17)

Or, Negative Impact? – A grandparent’s legacy can also have a negative impact as the effects of an unbelieving or hardened heart and a life of sin can spill over in familial dysfunction for years to come.

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, … maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation. (Ex. 34:6-7)

Questions for Grandparents Who Want to Leave a Positive Legacy for Their Grandchildren

Take some time to ask the following questions. Pray about and reflect on what you can do for it to become more of a reality in your life.

• Are you nurturing your own soul, growing in your walk with the Lord, so you have something of eternal worth to pass on? (Deut. 4:9; 2 Tim. 1:5; Ps. 145:4)

• Are you willing to invest into the lives of the younger generation in strategic ways, especially if you must do grandparenting from a distance?

• Are you truly present when with your grandchildren, there in the moment, attentive to them, rather than preoccupied or distracted by other things?

• Are you a godly role model for your grandchildren, consistently letting the Lord’s light shine through you in all you do?

• Are you passing on godly wisdom learned from your life experiences but particularly that which is in alignment with God’s Word?

• Are you a prayer warrior for your grandchildren?

• Are you someone your children and grandchildren are pleased to honor, not just because a special day is set aside to celebrate grandparents, but because they are truly blessed through you?

Use the Holiday Reflections discipleship guide on Grandparent’s Day to reflect on the kind of legacy we can leave. This resource includes guides for reflection on a total of fourteen different holidays. If you’re a grandparent, you might even consider using these guides as a tool to disciple older grandchildren during each of the holidays.