Heir B&B

Written by Linda Crouch, friend of Legacy Coalition

My son rents apartments through Airbnb in the city where I live. One afternoon, for fun, I decided to change the word ‘Air’ to ‘Heir’ and experiment with fresh meanings for the two B’s that might describe qualities we could help our grandchildren develop.

Eventually, I settled on two words which I believed would be a credit to any heir: “bold” and “balanced.” What areas of boldness and balance might we as Christian grandparents spur on in our families to prepare them to live godly lives in their generation?

Our positive example before them would, of course, be their first and greatest foundation, demonstrating Christian values ourselves that we desire to see in them. Here are several ideas to nurture our grandchildren, which could help them grow to be BOLD and BALANCED.

4 Ways to Be Bold

1. Practice the priority of studying God’s Word. Help them be grounded in the truth of who they are in Christ and boldly live it out.
   
   Scriptures to consider reading and studying together: Psalm 119, Colossians 2:6, Joshua 1:8, Proverbs 3:5-6
    
2. Pray for and with them, giving them tools to share their faith in a bold, natural way. They will learn to navigate life more competently from a Biblical perspective.
   
   Scriptures to consider reading and studying together: Hebrews 4:16, I Peter 3:15, Ephesians 3:12, Matthew 5:16, II Timothy 3:16-17
    
3. Talk through how to think critically and resist peer pressure by holding bold, firm convictions of right and wrong.
   
   Scriptures to consider reading and studying together: Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, John 17:15, Matthew 7:13-14, I Corinthians 15:33
    
4. Listen with an open heart and help expand their worldview by engaging in bold service or mission opportunities. One idea could be to help them make up packets of food Items like snacks, cookies, water, and basic hygiene supplies to pass out to homeless or needy people they meet.
   
   Scriptures to consider reading and studying together: Matthew 20:28, Philippians 2:3-4, Acts 1:8, Galatians 6:9

4 Ways to Be Balanced

1. Model a balanced use of time, guarding boundaries for school, alone time, worship, rest, family, and friend activities.
   
   Scriptures to consider reading and studying together: Colossians 3:17, Proverbs 4:23, Ecclesiastes 3:1
    
2. Provide time and space for them to explore gifts and passions while balancing responsibilities at home, school, or in their community.
   
   Scriptures to consider reading and studying together: I Peter 4:10, Colossians 3:23, Luke 16:10
    
3. Cultivate a mindset of gratitude as they seek to balance life’s challenges honestly.
   
   Scriptures to consider reading and studying together: Ephesians 5:20, I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 4:6-7 &  12-13, Psalm 91
    
4. Offer non-judgmental time and space for grandchildren to process issues verbally. Validate their emotions and feelings, and remind them that life also needs sturdy, balanced grit to follow through on hard things.
   
   One idea would be to applaud sincere effort, not just the end results of achievement. Counselor Keith McCurdy reminds us that “Healthy struggle is the engine to growth and maturity.”
   
   Scriptures to consider reading and studying together: Psalm 34:18, Ecclesiastes 3:4, James 1:2-4

Conclusion

By intentionally being humble and open towards our grandchildren and their needs, God will help us encourage them toward boldness and balance in their lives.

As you seek to encourage them to be bold and balanced, think too of ways that you could introduce a “bed and breakfast” feeling to your grandchildren’s lives. That comfortable, inviting, nourishing, restful, and peaceful space that we all seem to crave.

By being available, you will help them grow to live godly lives for Christ that will shine forth to a new generation. May you always have your light on!