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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Grandparent(s) (04/03/08)
I am a young man. Well, relatively young… My first (and only) child just turned five years old, and through him I have really discovered the joy of being a parent. I glory in watching him learn and figure things out on his own. Just the other day I had the opportunity to watch him explore his creative side, and it excited me to see the “creations” that he was starting to come up with. So far in my life, there has really been no greater joy than seeing life through the eyes of a growing child.

One day he is going to grow up and have his own kids. I can already start to imagine what it would be like to watch him experience the same things that I am experiencing now. I hope and pray that everything that I’ve taught (and will teach) him results in a fruitful life, and then lessons that he can turn around and sow into his children. Watching the passing of this knowledge from generation to generation makes me think of one word that describes this impact… legacy.

Through my son, and eventually to my grandchildren, I have to opportunity to pass on a legacy. Parts of me, and what God is doing in my life, get to live on long after I am gone. This makes me realize that the magnitude of what I do today is much bigger than I am. Literally everything that I sow into my child could eventually manifest itself in my grandchildren and beyond.

This idea also makes me think of how it applies in a spiritual sense. When I help lead someone to the Lord, they essentially become my “spiritual child”. Then as they eventually lead others to the Lord, I start to see my spiritual family grow.

Considering the impact of legacy in our natural families, I also need to evaluate what I do as a spiritual grandparent. Am I sowing into my “children” and “grandchildren”? What wisdom do they need me to impart to them in order to ensure that my spiritual legacy lives on.

I have a dear friend that I had the pleasure of leading to the Lord, and the greatest times of growth for him happened when we would regularly sit and talk about the Bible and how it applies to our lives. Those were great times of growth for him, as he was able to start making sense of his newly found faith. Just as I do with my son, I had the pleasure of watching this man explore and discover his spiritual side. It brought me great joy to see how he began to process this information, and creatively apply it to his own life.

Now I see him leading other people to the Lord, and touching other people’s lives. In him I see a little bit of me when he is finding his own “spiritual sons”. I see the impact of my legacy manifesting in his life. Realizing that my actions go much further than I can reach on my own makes me realize again just how important my job as a “spiritual grandfather” is.

When I consider the Great Commission that tells us to “go, make disciples,” I realize that this means that I am to sow into other people’s lives in order to create a legacy. Jesus did it with the disciples, and then He told them to turn around and create some “spiritual grandchildren” for Him. We to have a responsibility to not only become spiritual parents, but also to extend our reach and legacy as grandparents.

So, I challenge you to go… be fruitful and multiply!
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This article has been read 1041 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Patrick Whalen
04/10/08
Becoming a spiritual grandparent, an interesting take on the topic :)

One comment: "I have to opportunity to pass on a legacy." but you probably already noticed that ;)
Patty Wysong
04/10/08
An enjoyable read that was thought provoking, too. I liked how you tied the spiritual side into this--it is an opportunity, responsibility and blessing. Well done!
c clemons
04/12/08
Good job typo or two but overall a fine job.
Joshua Janoski
04/13/08
I enjoyed this. You made some very good points regarding our need to be "spiritual parents and grandparents" to other people. We are to lead souls to Heaven, and we must do that by mentoring and setting the example.

This had a real devotional feel to it. I also think this piece would fit this week's "Father" topic.

Thank you for sharing. Keep up the good writing. :)
Jeanette Oestermyer
04/13/08
A nice tribute to fathers of all ages. And a touching story narrated by a father. It is awesome how we feel when we see a first child, or a second or third one. Created by God through us, a wonderful living part of us to love and cherish.
Phyllis Inniss 
04/14/08
This article is heart-warming. To think what great treasures you can pass on to your child, who will in turn pass them on to his/her children, spiritually and practically, makes you know that you have to rely on God. You have given this much thought and have written a truly inspiring piece.