Grandchildren are great!

Proverbs 17.6
“Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.”

A few years ago I would have written about this proverb from a purely theoretical perspective. Then we had our first grandchild, then we had our second. Our third is due in mid-October. Now I can say based on first-hand experience that “grandchildren are the crown of the aged.”

Here are our two blessings:

My only complaint is that one lives in San Diego, and the other in Charlotte. Needless to say, we take full advantage of FaceTime!

The message of this proverb is that grandparents wear their grandchildren like “crowns.”  This is exactly what my wife and I experience. Those of you who have met me know that I love to show pictures of my grandkids.They are like precious jewels to me. I am quite aware that people are only moderately interested in seeing those pictures, and are just being polite in showing any interest. For those of you who have indulged me, I appreciate your cordiality.

There is something incredibly special about holding your child’s child in your arms, and then watching them grow and develop.

Note also that the relationship flows both ways. The message of this proverb also encourages us that, “the glory of children is their fathers.” Nothing so adorns children, and brightens their lives, like godly fathers and mothers.

The opposite is also true, which is made clear a few verses later.
“He who sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.” (Proverbs 17:21)

“A foolish son is a grief to his father and bitterness to her who bore him.” (Proverbs 17:25).

The big message here is that wise, godly leadership in the family is a priority.