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Youth~Five Minute Friday

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“They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” Psalm 92:14 (NIV)

Yesterday was “Grandparents Day.” I thought a lot about mine throughout the day and have concluded, not for the first time, that where my grandparents are concerned, I wish as a youth I’d known then, what I do now. 

There was so much I enjoyed about visiting my Grandmas and Grandpas. I cling to those wonderful memories. But, listening to all the stories from the “olden days” and their lives then they loved to share with me when I was younger, was not among my favorite things. 

Yes, I’d sit dutifully and appear to listen, but my mind’s eye was rolling and I’d only partially pay attention telling myself that I’d heard them all before. And their advice? It didn’t seem they could possibly know about my life. Oh, how sorry I am all these years later!

I can’t count the times I’ve wished I could sit down and talk something through with my Grandma to get her perspective and guidance. Or ask my Grandpa to tell me again about his experiences as a teacher in a one room school house or to explain more about how our family tree all fits together (which was something he loved to do.) A treasured recipe, where a certain photo of us was taken, curiosity about what they’d think about the happenings in our crazy world and so much more to wonder about. Sadly, like many of us I suspect, I’ve missed out on receiving rich wisdom that was generously offered to me but unfortunately I didn’t recognize then, its importance in my life.

Guess what? As a child of God, I’ve been guilty of having the exact same reaction to His Life story. When it comes to the Bible there’ve been times when I’ve only partially paid attention because I’d heard all those familiar accounts many times before. There have been periods in my own life when I’ve even questioned what the verses could possibly have to offer about what I was going through. Just like with my Grandparents, I’ve lost out because I have not spent more time listening and learning. You too? For us, God also generously offers us His priceless wisdom and yet, we don’t always recognize how vital it is to living our very best life.

Thankfully, it’s not too late to learn from our mistakes. When we need perspective and guidance, we can go to His Word. If we want to learn from past experiences? We can read about the people who actually walked and talked with Jesus. Need a recipe for good living, to relive an important event, or wonder what in the world God would have us do in the midst of this crazy world? It’s all at our fingertips and even better, as we spend important time taking it all in, it’s being written our my hearts.

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Now as a grandparent myself, I find that I enjoy telling stories from my past with my young grandsons; but I desire even more to give them hope so it’s important is that they see me immersed in all the Bible has to offer and also, that I not only share those ancient but not outdated Words with the boys, but that they see me living them, too. And one day, I pray they’ll share that with others.

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”
Psalm 71:18 (NIV)

 

Joining with others at http://www.fiveminutefriday.com writing to the prompt, “Youth.” Click over to read more!

 

 

Day 12: Born

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31 Days of Five Minute Friday Free Writes

“So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.” Psalm 78:7 (NLT)

Day 12: Born

Since I was born up until now, there have been a lot of changes in the world. I could list many things that I used everyday growing up that are now obsolete and have been replaced by new technology. But, even with all the advancements I’ve experienced in 63 years, I don’t think it compares with what my grandparents’ generation witnessed! 

Stop and think about it. Those born in the early 1900’s as my grandparents were, went from no electricity to automated everything, horse powered transportation to space travel, and limited communication to access to the world. 

My grandpa used to like to tell stories about what it was like during his growing up years. It was important to him to share his life experience. We knew that with each visit there’d be tales of the “olden days.” I wish I would have listened more carefully back then, as I’m sure I missed out on much wisdom that I could sure use now. What I did come to realize through those tales though, was when my grandpa was little he couldn’t even imagine the things that were now normal life to him as an adult. No one in his generation would have guessed how drastically life would change. It’s not the same for us. I don’t really think that we’d be surprised by anything that may be developed today: life under the sea or on the moon, flying cars, robots, you get the idea. We CAN conceive the things to come.

Being able to picture the future isn’t always a good thing. Along with creating advancements to make our lives easier, we’ve also created a world that has become more challenging and it sometimes feels like things just keep getting worse and worse. I don’t know about you, but I worry about what my grandchildren will face in their future and often, I don’t want to try to envision it at all.

That’s why we need to be like my grandpa and make sharing stories of Life with those around us a priority. 

“I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
Psalm 71:16-18 (NLT)

Grandpa’s stories taught us about the past and how far things have come. God’s stories reassure each of us we’re not alone right where we are and share the good news about where we’re going. Experiencing life with God through the good times and bad teach us what we need as we grow in Him. The prayer of the Psalmist should be ours too: “Let me proclaim your power to this new generation.” Those are exactly the stories we should feel are most important to tell our children, their children, and all those who come after us. And if like younger me, they don’t listen carefully? Well then, we tell them again; because hearing wisdom born of God now, makes life better than we ever imagined!

PS My grandpa is the boy to the far right. This family photo was taken in Aug. 1920.