I often think of the profound words of the Bible in Proverbs 17:6 (KJV) "Children's children are the glory of old men."       Oh for the wealth of deep joy in these nuggets of gold. The most gratifying wishes parents can ever receive for their newborns is to hear : "May you see their children's children."

In these staggering times, we as grandparents sense a great need to pray for happiness for our grandchildren. Whether they be our biological ones, our step-ones… or those God gave us to love and cherish as our own; rest assured- they all need us.  I reminisced and found, that the basic seeds of contentment in my life began to germinate, when I was a child. "In your life," my Grandma Antoinette blessed me, " always occupy yourself with something to do, someone to love..."

 Happiness is an important and a pressing  need as the air we breathe.  Especially when we can heartily impact the most tender of the loved ones around us--our very offspring. "Yea for thou shalt see thy children's children" Ps. 128:6 (KJV). God with His grace, has promised them to us. That prime and very significant "something to do and someone to love" which bring joy to our golden years is this: To care for their welfare as long as we can.      

 We can naturally invest love, patience and discipline  in our grandchildren. This is especially possible when we have their parents' blessings; never to cross the intricate hairbreadth's boundary which lies between loving , or actually spoiling them.Today, with the great family upheavals everywhere, only a small percentage of siblings peacefully solve problems on their own.  I suggest placing a kind reminder in big red letters in every church and home: "GRANDPARENTS DESPERATELY NEEDED ALL HOURS OF THE DAY....PLEASE DO NOT RETIRE OR RESIGN." Children of a single parent, may willingly welcome support and attention from a senior relative or friend.   How about care from a grandparent then??   In 1974 my mother-in-law moved in with us after a disabling stroke. I recall her loving, inspiring assistance at times. I remember how one day, clearly noting the children's agitation, she calmly intervened. "Can you find any paid jobs around this house for small hands to do?"

 "You really believe this works?" I hopefully asked.   "Why certainly! It did work for their Dad in the past;" she then resumed: "See that you pay them fairly, times HAVE  changed, you know." 

What a wise lead that promoted love and peace to our home ! It reminded me of genuine support I received during my hard childhood days. I now feel the debt around my neck,--to "go and do likewise."  Nothing surpasses a grateful hug or smile, after reaching out in love to our grandbabies. Yet we could be living some distance from our children's families; encounters may become restricted. We all believe in encouraged communications. So? "Send them cards, letters, and notes," writes Marilyn Krebs in Tips For Long-Distance Grandmothering. "Touch them with telephone calls," she adds. "Hearing you speak their names, weekly or monthly giving a few encouraging words, makes a difference in their lives."

We grandparents thrive on the  presence of these gifts from God. They deck our lives like twinkling stars decorating the quiet evening sky. Grandchildren, bring us a God-honoring peace which we truly deserve. In caring for them, we receive a double blessing:  The rekindling of our happiness, and hearing the Lord Jesus gently whispering in our hearts,   "Blessed are the peace makers: For they shall be called the children of God"  Mathew 5:9 (KJV)