Lessons I Learned From My Grandchildren

One of the joys of being a grandparent is discovering that grandchildren often make excellent teachers.  This book offers 52 brief devotionals for grandparents, each built around the idea of lessons learned from grandchildren. About the Author Delia Halverson, a Christian education specialist, is a veteran classroom and workshop leader with more than 20 years' experience. She has written extensively in the area of religious education and is the author of 32 Ways to Become a Great Sunday School Teacher, How to Train Volunteer Teachers, Leading Adult Learners andMy Cup Runneth Over... Devotions for Teachers. She is the author of over fifteen books and is well known for her articles and curriculum writing. She lives in Woodstock, Georgia. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Lessons I Learned From My GrandchildrenBy Delia HalversonAbingdon PressCopyright © 2008The United Methodist Publishing HouseAll right reserved.ISBN: 978-0-687-65078-1Chapter OneLESSONS OF EXPERIENCES AND JOYS Lessons of Each Special Day Scripture: All of you nations, clap your hands and shout joyful praises to God. -Psalm 47:1 Our twin granddaughters learned early on, even before they could talk, to express their joy with clapping. They clapped when they saw someone they knew. They clapped when they accomplished something new. They clapped when a special show came on television. They clapped when their grandfather put their favorite dish on the table. (He cooks the main meals at our house!) And they clapped when we sang praise to God. When the girls first sat in high chairs for their meals, I began singing a special song to them at breakfast. It uses the words of Psalm 118:24 (NRSV): "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Even though they did not understand the meaning of the words, they knew that it was a song of joy, and they reacted with their clapping. Even now, when we sing the song, they immediately break out in smiles and cheers accompanied with spontaneous clapping. Each day with grandchildren is special. I never know just what it will hold. It may be the day that they learn a new word, such as floor or dinosaur. Or it may be the day that they accomplish a special dance step or a complicated karate move. Or it may simply be another day with the same games and toys. But nonetheless, it is special to them, and I'm finding it special to me. Once we are adults we get hung up in busyness. Life is a rush from one job to another, from one meeting to another, or from one relationship to another. We not only forget to clap for joy over the simple accomplishments, but we forget to recognize each day as a day that God has made and a day that we live for God. If slowing down with grandchildren does nothing more, it can teach us to find joy in each day. It can teach us that there are ordinary things in life to celebrate, as well as the extra-ordinary. It can teach us an awareness that we have forgotten in our "maturity." It can teach us to feel unashamed about celebrating with joy and with excitement-celebrating the specialness of today and the specialness of relationships! Reflect ~ What happened today that you can clap about? ~ Besides clapping, what other ways can you celebrate the joy of a moment? ~ How can you find a way to remind yourself of the many moments that are special? Pray God, you have given us days, some routine and some unusual. Help me see the specialness of each day. Help me lose all my reluctance of celebrating your gifts of new days. Amen. Lessons of Laughter Scripture: And a little child shall lead them. -Isaiah 11:6c (NRSV) It is a joy to watch my grandchildren in some of their antics. At times I simply smile inside and try not to burst into laughter, because they would not think it was a laughing matter. Other times I laugh with them, feeling the explosion of endorphins through my bo