A Timely Book Review

One of my favorite writers to grandparents is Dr. Josh Mulvihill. His most recent book, Discipling Your Grandchildren, is another fine example of his depth of insight and passion to communicate simple, yet profound Christian messages in an easy-to-use format. Discipling Your Grandchildren is the kind of book you will pull from your personal library shelf throughout your grandparenting years.

Discipling Your Grandchildren is the kind of book you will pull from your personal library shelf throughout your grandparenting years.

Based on solid biblical principles, each chapter covers one specific aspect of discipleship. Calling upon the expertise of Jen Mulvihill and Linda Weddle, this book encourages older generations to prioritize the spiritual growth and development of their grandchildren. Methodologies include purposeful prayer, communication, meal time, and family time, as well as intentional Bible study with grandchildren of every age. Learn creative ways to share such things as long distance dinners, gifts of experiences, and a virtual tour of Israel.

Eleven topics address the intricacies of communicating with grandchildren, near or far, from birth through adulthood. Each is written with respect to the primary role of adult children, and the nuances of dealing with those whose faith may not be strong. Chapters include tips and lists of resources to enhance your effectiveness at sharing the truth of God’s Word.

My endorsement of Discipling Your Grandchildren corresponds with such notables as Valerie Bell, CEO of Awana; Cavin Harper, founder of Christian Grandparenting Network; and Dr. Rob Reinow, founder of Visionary Family Ministries.

Discipling Your Grandchildren, which is part of the Grandparenting Matters series, is available for purchase at Bethany House Publishing,

Or at Amazon.com.

Home Alone – Not!

We’re getting a big dose of family time at home. Online meetings are nothing compared to the task of guiding children through distance learning classwork. As grandparents, my husband and I are deeply involved in the education process of a third grader. The word “alone” is not typically part of our routine. However, during the course of this new educational system, it is often preceded by the words “Leave me _ _ _ _ _.”

Don’t get me wrong. I love having my family near. I’m just not used to having them so near so much of the time. Neither are they. We all want to get out to the coffee shops, department stores, and restaurants where we can mingle with other people. But, in the meantime, we are practicing our ability to view life from a grander, eternal perspective.

The Fruit of the Spirit, as presented in Galatians 5:22-23, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. I keep working on these, sometimes more successfully than other times. I printed, framed, and set these verses in a place where I see them every day. It reminds me to give my best to the people I love most.

There are times when I look at my grandson and consider how much he has grown since his first year of life. He has accomplished countless skills and abilities since the day he surprised himself by rolling over onto his tummy as an infant. Watching him concentrate to master new math and language skills, or finding the right bait to catch that big bass reminds me of the swift passage of time. Will his faith exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit as he reaches adulthood? Am I doing all I can to encourage that eventuality?

I view our concentrated time together as an opportunity as well as a challenge. Is my grandson learning how to live out the fruit of the Spirit? My chance to show him comes while we are not home alone. Thankfully, summer vacation brings new opportunities to grow our fruitfulness.

Send your thoughts to: barbhowe.org.

[Insert NAME Here]

jon-tyson-566CgCRSNCk-unsplash — Photo courtesy of Jon Tyson on Unsplash

One of my favorite things to do is make up new lyrics to popular songs. Most of all, I like to insert names into songs to make them personal. When my grandson was a toddler, he frequently asked me to “sing song” whenever we were together. I knew he meant the Sunshine song with his name inserted to help him identify with the message.

It goes like this:

“You are my sunshine, my only [Insert NAME Here].
You make me happy when skies are grey.

You’ll never know dear, how much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.”

Try it with your young grandchildren and watch smiles fill their faces. It’s easy. Plus, you don’t need to have a great voice to elicit their approval. When they can identify with the song personally, it’s easier for the verses to roll off the tongue into the memory.

In a similar spirit, a friend told me she likes to insert her name in spaces when reading Bible verses that talk about our relationship with Christ.

For example, Ephesians 2:8-9 would read:

“For it is by grace [Insert NAME Here] has been saved,
through faith—and this is not from yourself,
it is the gift of God— not by works,
so that [Insert NAME Here] cannot boast.

This simple technique is a way to remind the ones we care deeply about, in addition to ourselves, that our God cares for each of us intimately and values each of us. Inserting our names into verses does not change the way God loves us, but it may help us to respond to Him personally. And all you need to do is sing a favorite verse with your grandchild’s name inserted. How simple is that!

Share the things you do to stay in personal contact with God at: barbhowe.org.

May I Have Your Attention, Please?

markus-spiske-Cf5kL7vcF6U-unsplash — Photo courtesy of Markus Spiske on Unsplash

I’m beginning to understand what it means to do without things I once considered necessary, activities that once seemed paramount to normalcy. It is remarkable how quickly the world I am accustomed to can come to a virtual standstill with COVID-19. This imposed lifestyle change causes me to ponder, could it be a gift wrapped in plain brown paper?

God uses circumstances to push us to stronger degrees of faith. James 1:2-3 tells us our trials and temptations can be catalysts to help fulfill His purposes. When our faith is being tested, our perseverance has a chance to grow in ways that cannot happen by any other means.

You may be struggling to maintain contact with children and grandchildren who are not physically or emotionally close. You may be spending more time than usual assisting your adult children with their children’s education. Or you may fall somewhere in between. Wherever you stand, ask yourself: “Have I included God in the situation? Have I put my worries into His hands?”

In all circumstances, you have an almighty advocate on your side, ready to direct you in the way you should go. James 1:5 advises those who lack wisdom to ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. It is a powerful promise to all who believe and do not doubt.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Does God have your attention? Look to Him for guidance. He is never further than a prayer away.

Share how you put your faith in God at: barbhowe.org.