Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren
Many homes have pumpkins, autumn-colored mums on their doorsteps, and Halloween decorations in their yards. Children have a good time deciding who they will be and what they will wear as they trick or treating and, of course, eating their treats.
This year has been an unusual time for us wearing masks when going out in public. However, as I was thinking about Halloween coming up at the end of this month, I started thinking of jack-o-lanterns, costumes, masks, etc. It reminded me of how many of us try to cover up our feelings or who God designed us to be. We, too, as grandparents, tend to hide, conceal, or disguise how we feel about ourselves or who God says we are to be. Paul writes in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” God created us to be genuine, authentic, sincere, and truthful, pleasing Him with doing good works for Him. Wearing a mask to cover up who God designed us to be will not bring us fulfillment.
I like the verse Eugene Peterson writes in 1 Peter 5:7 (MSG) “So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.God has designed us for a purpose; let’s be content with who we are and not put on a mask trying to impress others. Let’s be real, genuine, and authentic, so others see us as God intends us to be.
Let’s ask ourselves:
Do I really believe God is who He says He is?
Do I really believe I am who God says I am?
Do my grandchildren see that Jesus Christ is the focal point of my life, or do they think I am wearing a spiritual mask?
Do I cover myself with my pandemic mask of who God designed me to be?
During this Halloween season, let’s encourage our grandchildren to be real and honest and not wear masks in their relationship with Jesus Christ, their families, and at school.
“A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” Proverbs 14:25 NIV
By Lillian Penner, Christian Grandparenting Network Staff lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net
I so appreciate these reminders of truth. Thank you for giving yourself to this ministry. It is an encouragement and blessing.
Kathy,
Thank you for your comment. It was very encouraging to me.
May God bless you richly as you pray for your dear grandchildren.
Lillian Penner
Sue,
Thank you for your comment. It was very encouraging to me.
May God bless you richly as you pray for your dear grandchildren.
Lillian Penner
Yes, let’s unmask our faces that our grandchildren can see the love and smiles we have for them. It is also easy to disguise our inner being with a mask that keeps others from seeing our true self. May I reveal Christ to my grandchildren and to loved ones that He might be glorified in my life. Thank you for writing of how our “masking” can be detrimental to the spiritual development of our precious grandchildren.