Rev. Rob Henderson
Shelby Wesleyan Church
https://www.angelfire.com/mi2/robhenderson/
robnaomi@oceana.net
1 Timothy 1:9
September 10, 2000 am
Today we celebrate our grandparents and the heritage that they have passed on to all of us. Regardless of whether we had a close relationship with our grandchildren or not we honor those who mean so much to so many.
Grandparenting is an important job. In primal society tribes the elderly took care of the small children. The elderly were held in high esteem for their years of wisdom. I am alarmed today when I see the elderly being ignored except for their vote. Our society seems to be under the delusion that the best leadership is younger leadership. Those of us who are young and in leadership need to heed the words of Paul to Timothy: “Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father... Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need.”
Times have changed radically. Hardly twenty years ago we were shocked by the advent of satellite television and the possibility of receiving twenty channels crystal clear. Today, the satellite is smaller and you can get 400 channels. When you thought computers couldn’t possibly get better or faster, when you started to believe that cars couldn’t get any nice, and just when we thought the hippie days of bell bottoms had disappeared we see the revolutionary transformation of society. The pace we are going is insane and the place we get to has its price. And the price we pay makes us realize that times have changed.
Gone are the days of the New Deal. Now the New Deal is a Big Deal to the politicians who want to give us what they call a “Real Deal” if we vote for them. But somehow, I get the feeling that perhaps we all might be in for a “Raw Deal” when it is all said and done.
Gone are the days of the Drug store soda shop where you could get a three scoop ice cream sundae. Now all we get at the drug store is drugs. We don’t want any reason to have to stay there any longer than we need to.
Gone are the days of the five cent coca-cola that you drank at the corner gas station (where they checked your air and oil- at no extra charge). And you drank that Coke out of a glass bottle.
Yes, grandparents, times have changed.
But the need of godly grandparents has not changed.
Grandchildren need grandparents who will be positive influences. Grandchildren are not “just a charm on on Grandma’s bracelet.” “The roles that grandparents play are caretaker, story teller, family historian, mentor, wizard, confiant, negotiator between child and parent, and a model for the child’s own old age.” (Youthletter, 1981)
I appreciate the favor that Paul has done for us here in Timothy. He mentions Timothy’s grandmother- Lois. He could have mentioned the local Rabbi or perhaps other church members and friends but Paul recognized something about Timothy’s life: the influence of a Godly grandparent.
Today, our children face all kinds of threats to their safety, security, and sanity. In a day and age that seems to be crazier than ever before our kids need godly grandparents who are going to love them regardless of their parentage.
I get the sense that Timothy was the result of an unequally yoked relationship between his mother and father. Though reared as a Jew, his father was Greek according Acts chapter ten. Perhaps his parents were not married- sin is nothing brand new. Maybe his father left him and his mother. We must be careful in speculating but yet we see the absence of his father by name. And even later Paul refers to Timothy as “my son in the faith.”
Here is Lois. Setting an example some 1,970 years earlier for us to see. There are three qualities in grandparenting that I believe Lois had as a part of her life.
1. She loved her grandchildren despite their parentage.
So often moms and dads have been embarassed by their daughters promiscuous behavior and subsequent pregnancy that they isolate her. And then, in so doing, they treat their grandchildren with a type of contempt.
I am going to give an illustration that I trust will not be misconstrued to be racial. I only say this to show what is right.
I knew of an elderly lady when I was a teenager who lived in Muskegon. Her daughter had a couple of children who were not totally white like the rest of the family- they were mulatto, part Caucasian and Negro. I over heard someone say this: “She loves those kids as though they were white like her.”
The skin color of this lady’s grandbabies made no difference to her. She loved her grandchildren. And Lois sets the example for us by loving Timothy- her grandson, born to her Jewish daughter by a Greek father. She loved Timothy as though he was 100% Jewish like her.
Grandparents, you have a godly responsibility to love all of your grandchildren regardless of their parentage. It’s not the kids fault. Give them the love and nurturing that they so desperately need.
2. She was a woman of faith.
Lois had Bible values. She had a faith that was unwavering despite the tumultuous times that she lived. There is no mention of her husband, perhaps she was widowed. She had a faith though that must have been bigger than the circumstances that surrounded her life.
After seeing her daughter and new gradnchild, maybe she was overwhelmed with a sense of frustration. “This is not how we raised this girl.” But her “sincere faith” or as the King James puts it: her “unfeigned faith.”
Not only did she have a faith that was unwavering but she must have had a faith that had a big God. A faith that saw beyond the frustrations and to the possibilities.
Too often we bemoan our circustances and disappointments. We want to lash out or take revenge or just move away. We would prefer the pity party to taking a dose of reality. As Dr. Fred Hubbard often said in college: “The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude towards the problem.” But of course, I was too busy with my college career to give him much credence.
Rather than look for ways to punish or reject or make excuses for the tough times, I believe that Lois took up the shield of faith and protected her daughter and grandson from the fiery darts of the devil. Grandparents, do the same. Take up your shield of faith so that your children and grandchildren might be saved.
3. She passed on her heritage.
Her sincere faith became a heritage to Timothy. Remember what the Psalmist said? Children are a heritage. And Lois took advantage of the opportunity that was availed to her. Her faith planted a seed in the heart of young Timothy and stayed with him on into his ministry. Look at your grandchildren as possible missionaries or ministers. Think the best of them. Pass on your faith in Jesus Christ.
Timothy’s faith was a result of not just a mom who did her best but a grandmother who was there for him. He saw her faith in action. And now as he faced the task of being a minister he would need to use that same faith that he inherited.
It’s easy to pass on physical features. But what about our spiritual features? We each have a responsiblity to live a life of holiness. And how do we live a life of holiness? Paul wrote in Romans: “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Lois was a woman of faith and her faith was caught by Timothy. You have heard the saying “More is caught than taught.” Let us live lives of such faith that our children and grandchildren will catch what we have.
I have been a blessed man. As a youngster I never experienced a grandmother until Grandma Henderson moved into our house. My maternal grandmother had passed away before I was born.
Grandma was always there for me. She was somebody I could talk to. She loved to feed us kids- every grandmother does I think. What a wonderful lady. I was roofing a house in Lakewood Club when Naomi came and informed me that she had passed away. She holds a special place in my heart.
How could I not remember Grandma and Grandpa Black- the parents of my guardian Mel Black. They treated me like one of the family. I got Christmas presents just like the other grandkids and I still get birthday cards from them. When a book was printed outlining the geneology of the Black family my name was included. I am privileged to have a Christian heritage passed from them.
And then there is Grandma and Grandpa Moulton- Joyce’s mom and dad who live in Canada. What a wonderful godly couple. They loved me like the others. It was Grandpa Moulton who chastised me once for my lazy behavior. He did so out of love and I understood that. Grandma Moulton has such a great laugh. They are truly great people of God.
I could go on and on of the grandparents who were an important part of my life. Like David who listed his mighty fighting men, I could list the mighty warriors of the faith who, like Napoleon’s Old Guard, were seasoned veterans of the faith. I think of Mr and Mrs. Kester who were at Hobe Sound when I was in college. They had me over for dinner and mended some of my clothes. I think of Mrs. Seagram- the 75 year old college freshman who taught me about persevering against all odds. And then there was Louise Gamble who was just a friend. I ran errands for her and she let me used her garage to work on my car.
I had the grandparents every where I have been. At Oakwood Mrs. Smith would tell me that she would wait inside the Eastern Gate if she went home before I came back from college. Well, she’s there waiting for me. I think of Woirols, Lorraine Edwards and others who encouraged my faith and in so doing gave me strength to continue on. At Brockway there were those who encouraged me. I think of Edna Vuillmont and Hattie Beardslee and others who loved me like a grandson.
And here I am at Shelby. More grandparents! People I know who are battle-ready and experienced. I would not be who I am if it were not for the many grandparents in my own life. The only thing I dread about growing old is that I will run out of grandparents. But I suppose my turn will come soon enough.
So, Grandparents, thank you for being there for us who have faltered lost our way. Thank you for loving us the way we are. And thank you for loving God.
And for everyone here: Remember, “Grandmothers are antique little girls.”
