Today, I trailed behind my daughter and granddaughter as we walked the halls of the school she will enter this year. With her schedule and map of the school in hand, she walked beside her guidance counselor to each of the doors in her new adventure–high school! It was a bizarre moment for me. I was here in a place like this with her mother just yesterday, wasn’t I? The guidance counselor gave the same advice to my granddaughter that my daughter and I heard when we were her age. “Change is exciting, but it can be scary; everyone around you probably feels the same way as you do, so don’t be afraid to ask for help.” Good advice, no matter your age!
I have 16 grandchildren, and there are many bizarre moments like these for me as I mother-once-removed them. It is more challenging for me to see my grandchildren growing up than it ever was when I parented their parents. I know it’s ridiculous to feel that way, but I can’t help myself. My love for them is possibly more than their fathers and mothers’ love for them at this stage in the game. It feels like my mama bear-ness is on steroids with my grandchildren.
Our family is spread across the country, and so is my love. With the arrival of each grandchild, my passion keeps expanding; sometimes, I’m bursting with emotions in 16 directions. So, what do I do? I get down on my knees and pray like I’ve never prayed before! I pray for these grandchildren just as I prayed for my children, but with more urgency than I ever felt when my children were young. I was too busy surviving motherhood; I didn’t have time to think of the “what ifs.” I would collapse into bed at night and ask our heavenly Father to make up for all my mistakes that day and for the stamina to get through the next day. I often told the Lord, “I just want them to remember how much you love them; don’t let me get in the way of them knowing that.” Now I pray, “Lord, help their parents to show them how much you love them, but let me help!”
And I do help! I help with the most significant effectiveness I have as their memiere (grandmother), for I, too, have a Guidance Counselor walking beside me, reassuring me as I navigate each new change in my family’s life. I’ve taken St. James’ admonition (5:13,16) to earnestly pray for others for a long time.
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? … The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.
The sense of urgency in interceding for my children grew exponentially when they reached their teen years, and now, 30-some years from our first child starting his teen years, I’m still praying not only for my children and grandchildren but our progeny! There is a theological understanding referred to as “prevenient grace,” referring to the grace of God that goes before us to prepare us for the recognition of sin and to enable us to understand our need for a Saviour. I know, that I know, that I know prevenient prayer for my family is the most valuable inheritance I can give as a mother and memiere. It is my habit to pray the Sacred Scriptures for my family. For what better way could I pray than praying God’s Word over them. The writer of Ecclesiastes encourages us to Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days, you will get it back.
I pray that this new category addition to my blog will be helpful to you, friend.
The Maiden Warrior 