What is a grandpa? In my Webster's it simply reads grandfather. When I looked up grandfather it read, "the father of one's father or mother". That might define what a grandfather is but I think a grandpa is something more than that. I'm certain we all have two grandfathers but very few of us have a grandpa.
I never had a grandpa. I never even laid eyes on my grandfathers. I missed that. I often wondered what they were like. I wanted to hear their stories and sit on their laps. I wanted to know them and be loved by them. I have often thought and daydreamed about what it would have been like if they were involved in my life. I believe a grandpa can impact a child in a way like no other.
This is what I think of when I hear the word Grandpa.
A man who always loves you and shows you his love in special ways.
A man who is full of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
A man who encourages you always.
A man who supports you in all you do.
A man who always has a silver dollar in his pocket just for you.
A man who will make you laugh and always have a smile.
A man who will buy you ice cream.
A man who will hold your hand and walk by your side.
A man who makes you feel safe and secure wherever you are.
A man who will listen.
A man who will make you want to listen.
A man who will teach you things, both old and new.
A man who will play catch, wrestle, build sandcastles or allow you to dress him up or put makeup on him.
A man who will allow you to play in the dirt with your good clothes on.
A man who will teach you right from wrong.
A man who will discipline and direct in love.
A man who will read to you and watch your favorite movies with you 1,000 times over.
A man who will show you it's okay to cry.
A man who will pray for you and with you.
A man whose morals, values and standards are lived out with clarity and consistency.
A man who admits he has made mistakes and shares them.
A man who will eat your vegetables for you so you can have dessert.
A man who has a special drawer full of your favorite candy.
A man who has rough hands from work and a soft heart from Jesus.
A man who can keep a secret.
A man you can depend on.
A man you can trust.
A man you can't help but love, admire, and respect.
This is a short list of the many things that I believe defines the title of "Grandpa". Quite a resume to live up to. This was not modeled for me but it is what I always dreamed about having. It's my prayer I can be all these things and more when God blesses me with my first grandchild in January. I want to be the coolest grandpa ever.
Psalm 78:5-8 NIV
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our forefathers
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their forefathers—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.
3 comments:
Kenny, Any kid would be blessed to have you as their grandpa! I am so excited for all of you. Susan V
Kenny, I wanted to thank you for being you.
God is using you more than you can imagine.
Grace and peace.
This blog brought tears to my eyes because my children, although their grandad was alive for much of their life, did not get to enjoy growing up with them as we moved away across the world where the children were born in Cape Town, South Africa.
I only learned much later that my Dad had a great fear of flying. Regrets yes I do have them. We could have flown over more often to see him. Even so he was always there on the end of the phone caring and watching carefully through my letters to him, what achievements the children had made. The one time he flew when he was in his sixties and in bad health. Whilst over in South Africa he had a quadruple heart bypass. As a result instead of six weeks he went back to England after three months. God knew that the children needed quality time with him :-) The children warmed to him and still remember their Grandad fondly. He drew pictures for them which they treasure to this day. He was that kind of person, he brought sunshine with him where ever he went. He was called to missionary work as a young man and decided instead to go into the navy. Ambition above God's calling. This led him down dark paths and he only came to salvation on his deathbed and the person instrumental in this was me. I GIVE GOD ALL THE GLORY!
This morning as I was sorting through old papers I came across a letter from my Dad. He has been dead for 3 years now. Now I come to your blog on Grandad's. Nothing with God is by coincidence only God-incidence.
I came to your blog Kenny through Pastor George on Facebook. Praise the Lord for His guidance and wisdom to cross paths in this way.
God Bless you abundantly for being a bond servant of Christ and dying to yourself more and more each day, Sue
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