Embracing the Role: Grandparents as Influencers and Blessings in the Lives of Their Grandchildren
The following blog is by Mark Morris.
Today there are over 2.6 million children in America who are being raised by their grandparents. If you’re not personally affected by this, then someone you know, undoubtedly is. Perhaps it is a relative or a neighbor, maybe even someone that you know in your church.
Often we see only the negative effects that this relationship can have on the children as well as the grandparents.
Today,I would like for us to realize that the situation does not have to be the half empty cup, but it can be a cup that runneth over.
There is a reason Jesus has allowed you to be the one to be the main influencer in your grand children’s lives at this time.
In a perfect world, it would be mom and dad of the children all growing together, worshiping together, but we know, and we realize we are not living in a perfect world.
So we must look at the position of this situation and be thankful that we have the resources and energy to step up and fill this gap. Our world is filled with gaps that Jesus is looking for men and women to step into. He has trusted you with this task so let’s realize this, and do the best we can to make others the best they can be.
Research has shown that kids with a high level of grandparenting involvement tend to have less emotional problems, reduced behavioral issues, and fewer challenges with peers. Healthy grandparent relationships can lead to less depression in both grandparents and grandchildren.
When we first started raising our grandchildren, because of the horrific tragedy of their father being killed, the court ordered us to take them to counseling for many, many weeks. I remember at one session I asked, the counselor, what long-term negative effects this situation would have on them. They reassured me by telling us that the children would be more positive than negative.
The counselor told us, that in these type of situations, the children have the ability to not be upset by everything that happens in life.
We have seen this as they were growing up. Situations that would upset other children such as a boyfriend or girlfriend not liking them never seemed to have the negative results on our grandchildren as it did others. Also, we were told that they would naturally become problem solvers, and we have seen this in their lives.
Don’t get discouraged and worried but rejoice that God has allowed you to be the facilitator of the plans that he has for your grandchildren’s successful life.
Rejoice in the Lord, for he gives us strength when we are weak and his grace is sufficient. And at the end of the day, you will be able to say I have lived in the goodness of God. God bless till next time.