Knowing your purpose prepares you for eternity. Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy on earth. They want to be remembered when they’re gone. Yet, what ultimately matters most will not be what others say about your life but what God says.
What people fail to realize is that all achievements are eventually surpassed, records are broken, reputations fade, and tributes are forgotten. In college, James Dobson’s goal was to become the school’s tennis champion. He felt proud when his trophy was prominently placed in the school’s trophy cabinet.
Years later, someone mailed him that trophy. They had found it in a trash can when the school was remodeled. This eventually led Dobson to say, ““someday, all of our trophies will become somebody else’s trash.”
So what are some actionable items that you, as a grandparent, can begin doing today to make sure your legacy is a lasting one — and not one that will soon be forgotten?
Text your grandkids and be active in their social media channels, like Facebook. Send them short notes every week, notes of encouragement, notes of challenge, availability for counsel (texting is like being the Elder at the City Gates!), send them things that let every one of their friends and the world know how you love them and how proud you are of them. Share a Bible verse with them in every note.
Time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Fishing, hunting, golfing, going on a cruise, teaching how to change the oil in the car, serving at a rescue mission or homeless shelter, traveling to places of significant historical significance, or just visiting places of significant beauty in God’s creation, or going on a mission trip to a third world country. These are all ways you can encourage your grandchildren to spend time with you.
You can also have your quiet time with them, teaching them to love the Word of God. Take your grandchildren to church with you, teaching them to worship God. Pray with them and for them, teaching them to talk with God. Share your faith with them and your personal testimony with them, teaching them to trust God.
Make sure you spend time doing activities they take a special interest in, too. Watch movies like The Ultimate Gift, Shindler’s List, Top Gun, Chariots of Fire, or Bema Seat. Go to their sporting events, music recitals, dramas and dance recitals. Be their greatest cheerleaders!
Transfer your family virtues and values to them. Inspire them to become people of character and integrity, who study and work hard. Teach them what it means to be part of the “Smith” family. Teach them to honor their parents and to love America by sharing your patriotism with them. Transfer your wisdom to them, not just your wealth. You have wisdom you have learned both from the things you’ve done right and from the mistakes you’ve made along the way. Share what you have learned about life, attitudes, actions, dating, marriage, school, studying, relationships and using both time and money wisely — the list is endless!
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://50.87.248.220/~stewarf0/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Jeff-Pic-Headshot.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Jeff Rogers, CEP™, Founder and Chairman[/author_info] [/author]
