“In God’s economy, it starts with the grandparents.” – Pastor Nick Barrett, opening comments and prayer.
“Prayer is the greatest work of all.” – Hal Habecker, closing comments.
If you could save a loved one from stumbling, falling in a hole, or stepping over a cliff, would you? . . . I think we would all answer, “Yes!” to that question.
God places on older generations the responsibility for lighting the way for those who come after us. Founder and president of Legacy Coalition, Larry Fowler, opened the Grandparenting Summit last weekend with the words, “Darkness never penetrates light, only light can penetrate darkness.” Darkness, whether spiritual or physical, obscures reality, hides beauty, causes stumbling & confusion, and makes us fearful. Light shows the pathway, reveals truth, prevents tripping, and brings comfort and peace. (1 John 2:8-11; John 11:9; Matthew 5:14-16)
How can we light the way? We can shine a light towards the feet of children, grandchildren, neighbor children, or nieces and nephews, and show them the trip-hazards that may have caught us off-guard in the past. Share the lessons we learned through God’s faithfulness. But we also need to use God’s Word to shine light on the path in front of us, so that we continue to grow in trust and obedience. The fruit of the Spirit must be evident in our lives and on our faces. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
We live in a broken and sinful world that needs us to shine as God’s light. May we build relationships, love sincerely, ask questions, and never give up, but pray and serve diligently to the end of our days.