Thank God for grandparents.
My husband and I can’t imagine trying to raise our daughter, build careers, work in ministry, and grow our marriage without grandparents. Just this week we’ve juggled dates to try and make it to our church’s annual marriage retreat. We need this time away from work and in the presence of other like-minded couples. But, because of scheduling conflicts, the 2012 summer retreat just didn’t seem possible.
But God. . .
But grandparents. . .
God knows exactly who and what we need at just the right time. And, we aren’t too proud to say that we need grandparents in our lives. We can’t do this parenting and marriage thing well without them. It truly does take a village to raise a child, but also to grow a strong and joy-filled marriage.
So, the grandparents are cutting their weekend short to meet us at the retreat location to pick up our daughter. My husband and I will be able to participate in the entire retreat because of them.
But, it’s not just the retreat.
It’s the security grandparents provide for their grandchildren.
It’s the unconditional love and leniency they offer””much more leniency than they extended to their own children. I’m still puzzled by that fact.
It’s the quiet wisdom that they share.
It’s the babysitting; the appearances at school programs when we can’t leave work; the hugs and kisses that grandparents give best.
It’s the unexplainable bond that causes our daughter to weep for her grandmother when they part company.
We have no doubt our daughter loves us, even though she begs to spend countless hours with her grandparents. We aren’t jealous nor do we try to limit their time together. In fact, we recognize that there are many layers to love. And the love between a grandchild and grandparent is just as powerful and just as important.
If you’ve experienced the love of a grandparent or have good grandparents in your children’s lives, thank God for them and for every day you all have together.
BMWK, have grandparents been important to your marriage and family?
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