Looking Back and Pressing Forward

Written by Deb del Villar, Director of Communications

As another year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves pausing to look back—remembering the blessings, acknowledging the challenges, and reflecting on the moments that shaped us.

Some memories make us smile; others may still bring a sting of loss or longing. Health concerns, financial stresses, or empty seats around the holiday table often remind us how quickly life changes.

Yet as Christian grandparents, we don’t only look back—we press forward. We step into a new year with hope, purpose, and a renewed desire to intentionally build a legacy of faith for our children and grandchildren.

This article will guide you through a practical and prayerful exercise: identifying what you need to store, what you can give away, and what you may need to throw away as you prepare your heart and home for this new year.

Things to Store

Meaningful Memories

First off, the things you need to store may not be physical items at all. Think about those memories that you never want to forget. How can the memories be stored so they are preserved for those who follow?

Family Faith Stories and Items

Scrapbooking, journaling, and writing out your family story are great ways to preserve it. Of course, there may be physical items you want to store, too.

Nativity sets are something I have collected for years. As I unpack them each year, a flood of wonderful Christmas memories comes cascading into my mind. There are certain ones that each grandchild seems drawn to, and I will mark the set with the appropriate grandchild’s name. The idea is to give them a nativity set when they are on their own. Certain furniture pieces have been designated the same way.

What are some items you can store or have stored away that could be passed on to your grandchildren? Do they know the stories that accompany the items?

Spiritual Truths

Memorizing Scripture is a great activity to keep our minds active and attentive. It is also a great family activity. Challenge your grandchildren to memorize a scripture passage with you. Have them quiz you to see how you are doing.

Consider doing a devotional with your grandchildren. Choose an age-appropriate devotional and meet to discuss what you are learning. This is great because it can be done in person or online.

What will you store this year in your heart and in your grandchildren’s hearts?

Things to Give Away

What Blesses Others

This is a great time to clean out those closets and open those abandoned boxes in storage. From clothes to household items, these could benefit your family or others.

Several years ago, I split my China set in half, giving each granddaughter enough for an eight-piece setting. In our downsizing, we did not have room to display or store it. They were both thrilled and have even used it on occasion for a special family meal. Many family holiday meals were shared on these plates and will be in the future.

Your Faith Story

God also calls on us to share the gospel – to give it away to everyone everywhere.

First, start with your own family. Have you shared how you came to faith with your family? Be willing to be vulnerable as you reveal your faith journey.

Believing in Christ for salvation is just the beginning. There is so much more believing that occurs as you journey through life, trusting and depending on Him every step along the way. Do not hold back from sharing how God has been sovereign, good, and faithful through it all.

Unconditional Love

Give away your unconditional love, too! Many years ago, I was told that John 3:16 was translated in an African tribe as “God loved us plenty too much…” Do your grandchildren know that you love them plenty too much? Think of ways you can demonstrate that kind of love to them.

Things to Throw Away

What You Need to Release to Move Forward

Are there past words, deeds, and emotions that are keeping you from pressing forward? It is much easier said than done, but maybe it is time to forgive and move on.

May this be the year that you eliminate these issues from your present and leave them in the past. Discard them so your present and future will not be cluttered, leaving you tripping and stumbling over them at every turn.

Embracing Forgiveness and Freedom in Christ

Allow God to do the healing in your heart and soul, whether that forgiveness is for you or another. You can teach your grandchildren to do the same.

Teaching Grandchildren to Reject Worldly Lies

Help your grandchildren throw away ideas of the world when they are contrary to God’s Word.

A good passage to teach is Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Another is Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

New Things to Add as You Press Forward

Have the attitude of Philips Brooks, who said, “The only way to get rid of your past is to make a future out of it. God will waste nothing.” Think about your past and, prayerfully and humbly, ask God to make something new from it.

Hope Grounded in God’s Promises

Maybe you need to add extra hope. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

God is sovereign, good, and faithful. Because we can trust God’s heart of unfailing love, His authority as all-powerful, and His actions as always good, we can rest and have peace. May we add this to our attitude each day so that our grandchildren know they, too, can have hope, all because of God!

Urgency to Be Intentional

There is no telling what truths will be attacked with the hope of modernizing them in the future. The changes already occurring are mind-boggling and beyond what many thought possible in our lifetimes. However, we can help prepare them by arming them with the truth of God. God’s Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

Confidence in God’s Faithfulness

Show examples from the Bible where God said something was going to happen and it did! Christmas is a great example of this. So many parts of the Christmas story show that God’s Word can be trusted.

Teach them that what He said has already happened, is happening, or will happen. They can count on it! It is as good as done, complete! God is faithful to keep His Word.

A Deeper Love for Scripture

May your year reflect this quote from Thomas Merton:

“By reading the scriptures, I am so renewed that all nature seems renewed around me and with me. The sky seems to be a pure, a cooler blue, the trees a deeper green. The whole world is charged with the glory of God, and I feel fire and music under my feet.”

Conclusion

As you enter this year, do you need to store, give away, or throw away?

Let’s live out this year with purpose, pressing forward with a sense of urgency so our grandchildren and their grandchildren will follow Christ.