Last week, we had our three Idaho grandkids at our house for four days while mommy and daddy enjoyed some time together celebrating sixteen years of marriage and love. Knowing that the weather was turning cold so we and the kids would mostly be confined to the house, I started praying several weeks prior to their arrival for God to show me how to make this a meaningful and memorable time for Brandon (9), Katelyn (9) and Sienna (6). I also asked our Couples Bible study group and Parents/Grandparents of Prodigals Support group to pray for us.

My prayer since we first became grandparents sixteen years ago is that Dave and I leave a legacy through our grandchildren of what it means to love Jesus and live out that love in our daily lives. I'm always looking for ways to help the grandkids understand what it means to be a Christian and follower of Jesus.

So as I prayed about the upcoming four days with the kids, and our groups were praying for us, the ideas started coming. In Grammie's Corner below, I share some of those ideas the Lord gave me that might help you with your kids, or when your grandkids come to visit this holiday season-or anytime!

I want to feature here one of them that centers around the picture above of MOM'S Canned Questions and MOM'S Delicious Devotional Questions. Some of you might remember speaker/author Emilie Barnes who has a ministry on using time wisely and loving your family wisely. Emilie spoke at Saddleback Church probably 20 years ago. Since I was newly married and blending a family, I attended and purchased the MOM'S jars from her book table. These were a product of "MOM'S Family Preserves-Preserving the Family Through Communication." Since this was before websites, I haven't been able to locate them to give you a link, but you could easily make them.

The jars are full of questions and Scriptures for discussion. I used these jars as communication starters around the dinner table as Dave's three kids and my Kim all became acquainted. When they left home, I stashed the jars away for safekeeping. I came across them recently and knew these would be a great way to get the grandkids to sit and talk while everyone finished their dinner, so I brought them out during the grandkid's four-day visit. They loved answering the questions. The questions are for all ages so they had a good laugh with the one that asked, "What makes an ideal husband?" And when Katelyn got the one asking, "What makes an ideal wife?" she promptly answered "Mommy!"

Then six-year old Sienna got the question: "What does it mean to love someone?" She thought for a minute and answered tentatively, "Being nice to them?" I said you certainly would be nice to someone you loved, but you love your family . . . are you always nice to them? That stumped her.

Then Katelyn said, "Loving like Jesus loves us." And that gave us something to talk about. I wish now that I would have gone to the "Love chapter," 1 Corinthians 13, in the Bible and read to them the true meaning of love. I'll remember that next time.

I love these kids to the moon and back, and would lay down my life for each one . . .just like Jesus did for those He loved.

"What does love have to do with it?" sang Tina Turner.

Love has EVERYTHING to do with "it!"

Happy Thanksgiving dear friends to you and those you love to the moon and back!

About His Work,

Janet

PS: Do you need help Lowering Your Expectations of the Holidays and Enjoying Them More?   

PSS: Do you ever wonder what God thinks of gambling? Read why Mamas Don't Take Your Babies to Town.   

PSSS: If you have a story of what you do to remember the goodness of God, or a time you forgot that goodness, in your life please contact me.

PSSSS: Also please keep sending your stories of being a mentor, mentee, or having the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry in your church.