Treasures and the Heart
My little granddaughters (five years old and two years old) love to get into my jewelry chest and wear as many necklaces as possible around their tiny little necks and down the front of their tiny blouses.
To them, my costume jewelry looks like treasure! Some of the pieces that I let them wear have semi-precious stones in them, and when they leave after a visit I usually spend a good half hour untangling all of the necklaces that they have worn so “regally” like the little princesses that they are.
There are few things in life that can be treasured as deeply when it comes to the gift of children and grandchildren. So often many people misunderstand “treasure” as what we can horde, collect, or stock up in savings.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” Matthew 6:21.
To some, children are a nuisance and grandchildren are too exhausting to invest much time into. For me this is impossible to comprehend!
My children were my absolute focus when I was a young mother. I loved them with every fiber of my being and day and night I was absolutely focused on their care, their success, and them coming to know Christ at a young age and then expanding their own growth later as young adults.
I’ve read that bumper sticker that says, “We are outspending our children’s inheritance”, and I really totally don’t like it!
If you’re a Christian parent and grandparent you know that one of the legacies that we are to leave behind is an inheritance for our children and our children’s children! And, that doesn’t always mean a monetary inheritance!
Proverbs 13:22 says, a good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.
Grandmothers let their grandchildren play with their jewelry, grandfathers let their grandchildren play in the garage with their painting and carpentry tools, they let them dig in the flower gardens with their trowels.
Kitchen countertops are filled with flour and messes as grandmothers and grandfathers bake with their grandchildren during holiday seasons. All the while that these activities are taking place there is storytelling and laughter taking place. There are gentle life lessons being left as treasure in the minds and in the hearts of the little people entrusted to grandparents.
My own grandmother would lay on the bed with me at night before sleep when I stayed with her and would tell me stories about heaven, about how girls needed to stay modest, about how we should act and talk and treat other people.
She would pat my arm or softly rub my forehead or gently hold me as she told me these things. The combination of kindness, safety and the gentle love of my grandmother developed inside of my little heart, a beautiful strand of pearls filled with wisdom.
This is a treasure that no one could have purchased for me nor could have given to me anymore beautifully.
One of the greatest treasures that a parent or grandparent can now begin to invest in and leave as an eternal legacy for a rich and treasured future for their children and grandchildren is to pray for them!
Prayer from the heart of a parent or grandparent is a rich and treasured fragrance to God. Why? Because He is the ultimate parent!
He understands every level of growth that not only children but also grandparents and parents go through as families develop.
Here’s a beautiful prayer I’d like to share with you to pray for your children and grandchildren.
Thank You Jesus for my grandchildren!!!
Thank You for blessing them and making them to be a blessing.Great is the peace of my grandchildren for they are taught of the LORD.
The angels of God always protect and safeguard my grandchildren from all evil, all harm, and all accidents.
Jesus is the Savior and the LORD of my grandchildren!My grandchildren are disciples of the LORD Jesus. They are growing in wisdom and favor with God and man.
They are happy, healthy, and obedient.
They love God and His Word. They love to pray and worship God.
They are full of love, joy, and faith in God.
They are growing strong spiritually, mentally, and physically.
They are accurate, thorough, and diligent in their work.
They are patient, kind, and loving to others.
They walk in love.
My grandchildren listen to their parent’s instruction and obey their parents in all things.
My grandchildren honor their father and mother, so it will be well with them and they will live long on the earth.
Thank You LORD, for guiding the parents of our grandchildren for and giving them wisdom, understanding, and courage to discipline our grandchildren and train them in the way they should behave and live.
Thank You, that my grandchildren will never walk away from You.
Thank You LORD, for guiding my grandchildren in all that they do.LORD, please prepare for my grandchildren and guide them to spouses who will be just right for them according to Your perfect plans.
Thank You LORD, for pouring out Your Spirit on all my descendants and Your blessings on my children.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen!
In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ©
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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.
Thank you Lord Jesus for revealing what courses discomposure
Two months ago, I had a conversation with my beloved son (he was saved 2½ months ago, and loves your article), who is studying psychology. We spoke of how we would work together and save lives. Since then, we have not been able to have private conversations. I have been under surveillance like some terrorist and mocked with words I will not even mention. The Lord told me this morning, that the wrath is about our conversation, that WE would prevent suicide. But of course, it is the LORD GOD Who is saving lives, through all who will listen. HE will have the credit of all He does, not man. Do not make plans yourself but ask the Lord of His plans with your life.
Yesterday, we had another great service and there were six baptized and one saved. Wow. Also, an elder prayed for me and my family, it is good to be back. Glory be to God. God bless you all. Lucia Ludvigsen
AMEN!!!!