The crown jewels

I am told that the best part of being a parent is having grandchildren. Some grandparents insist that if they had known how much fun grandkids are, they would have had them first. In September 1979 President Jimmy Cartersigned an official declaration of Grandparents Day. His act deemed the first Sunday after Labor Day to be a day of recognition for grandparents. Long before President Carter and greeting card companies recognized the value of grandparents, the scripture declared how valuable these men and women are to life and culture.

God has compared grandchildren to a crown. A crown is to be displayed. To be recognized. To be shined and looked at. In one fell swoop God has given grandparents the right to unfold picture after picture of their grandchildren. It is rare to meet a grandparent and not be shown pictures and hear stories of their grandkids. They should share them. Grandchildren need to know that there is someone out there who is extremely proud of them.

God has given grandparents a role in creating a legacy. Hopefully with a crown comes history, experience and wisdom. All of these a grandparent is able to share with their grandchildren. Grandparents are deeply involved in sharing their life, history and experience. They are able to look to the past to give guidance for the present. Sharing stories of their lives really helping their grandchildren understand that they are not alone. There are others who have dealt with similar situations and circumstances.

Grandparents remind their children to slow down. The common theme from experienced adults is how fast time moves. Children grow up so fast. Seasons go by too quickly. Time marches on and sometimes right on by. Every trip around the sun seems to go a lot faster with less scenery. Grandparents have recognized the value of slowing. Some have been forced to slow, others have chosen to practice the discipline of slowing. Grandparents remind their children that the multiple moments of creating memories are more valuable than monuments.

Grandchildren are a crown. Each one a stone placed in its setting. Some need more polishing than others, but they are each a jewel in the crown.

Rob Hurtgen is a husband, father and serves as the associate pastor at the First Baptist Church in Jackson.