100720: Thank God I’m a Grandparent… \ Reality Check 2/7

Warmest Greetings to all my fellow “PEPpers” (FMCOG family) and to all my dearly loved far flung family and friends!

Last night Sonja and I experienced a real grandparent moment – we were thankful to give David Lee back to his parents!  Yes, you read that right.   Last night we were privileged (and I really, really mean that) to baby-sit David Lee. 

With Jennifer home during the Summer we don’t see David Lee every work day like we do during the school term.  As a result, the little fellow is growing faster than we can keep up with.  Last night we discovered that!  He has grown to the point that he is no longer that docile little lad that is so easy to entertain. 

Mr. 3.0 is growing up!  He wants to grow and go.  Sonja and I found ourselves out in the back yard blowing bubbles and running around with David Lee (did I mention that he’s grown) chasing those bubbles so he could pop them.  We played with the dogs, checked out virtually every tree and bush on the property.  We rocked on the front porch, played the piano, crawled on the flood, climbed the steps a half-dozen times, and countless other things.  It was a glorious evening of entertaining a little grandson that was a bundle of energy, wonder and delight.  But by the time the door bell rang with mom and dad on the other side I had never been so happy to see them!  Sonja and I were exhausted.  It was so good to kiss David Lee, say good bye and give him back to his parents and go to bed!  Yes, last night I thanked God that I was a grandparent. 

My purpose in sharing this is to remind you that we are all grandparents.  Most often we think of grandparents in terms of age; but I am speaking in terms of responsibility.  As a grandparent my responsibility is limited.  There are seasons when David Lee is in my care but even then the ultimate authority and responsibility is in his parent’s hands.  Remember how Jesus taught us to pray?  “Our Father…”  In other words, He is the final authority.  At the end of the day, it is not our ability but His that matters.  What happens is ultimately His responsibility, not ours.  We have seasons that God asks us to take care of what is His – that is called “stewardship” – but what is in our care ultimately goes back to Him. 

So today, you may be exhausted and worn out.  You may find yourself doing things that you thought you’d never have to do.  But remember, you are just the grandparent and one day the Father will say, “Well done” and the burden will be lifted and rest will come.  So be faithful, being a grandparent should be a great thing!

Best wishes to you,

david l. kemp

FIRST Reality Check: Who am I trying to please?

SECOND: Reality Check: With whom am I competing?

• Remember, if you are just the grandparent (steward) you are not competing with anyone but yourself.  That question is not “How am I doing against others?”, but should be, “Am I taking care of what the Father has entrusted to me?”  If you are, then that is all that is required. 
• Often when we find ourselves stressed and frustrated it is because we feel that others are getting ahead of us or are have advantages that we don’t have or some other related issue.  We must resist that!  It does nothing but rob us of the joy of doing what we do for the love of Jesus.
• It would be like me getting all frustrated because other grandparents seem to have advantages that I don’t have.  All that would do would be to spoil the precious privilege of being David Lee’s “papa” and that would be a tragedy.