My new role!

For the past nine months, I have looked forward to the day I would become a grandmother. As the due date for my daughter fast approached I prepared my blog entry so that it would be complete before my daughter went into labor. I decided to reflect on waiting. How do we wait? How do we wait and not be anxious? I looked at lots of Scripture, but have now decided to delay my thoughts for another week. Why? I became a grandmother on Sunday for the first time. My days of waiting are over, and I now just want to reflect on the awesomeness of this event—not only did a beautiful new life come into the world (a baby boy), but I saw my daughter hold her own child!

A few weeks ago I blogged about what my grandmother name would be, and I am still struggling with that decision! But, I need to answer an even more important question—what will my role be in this new life? While respecting the parents’ boundaries, I know that I want to be more than the occasional babysitter, hug or gift giver. Does God offer any insight in His Word? I did a search. “Grandmother” appears only once in the Bible, spoken by Paul in the New Testament to his young colleague Timothy.

“As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.  I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”  2 Timothy 1:4-5

 This little verse instructs me on what I need to know. Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him. He wanted him to know that the way to endure suffering and the challenges of this world is to remember his faith in the Lord. Where did Timothy learn the fundamentals of his faith—his grandmother and mother! They had a faith that dwelt within them. “Dwelt” comes from the Greek word, “enoikeo,” meaning that faith had taken personal residence within them. It was at home. It was visible. It was passed on. This is what I want to do—leave a legacy of faith for future generations. It is a simple, but profound task. Now to settle on my grandmother name!

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