What Are Your Best Practices?

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9

Dave and I were recently at a church gathering of grandparents who shared some of their ‘best practices’ as grandparents who intentionally leave a legacy of faith to their adult children and grandchildren.

I listened to their words carefully. They spoke of the best practices of:

*Prayer

*Showing unconditional love

*Living a grace-filled life

*Seeking their adult children’s permission

*Living a gospel-centred life

*Regularly telling stories of how God is working in their lives

*Practicing love the way children spell it – TIME

*Remembering to have fun times

*Giving of a spoken or written blessing

I watched their faces glow with love for their grandchildren as they told their stories.

But I heard their hearts. They wanted to be their very best for God so they might have an influence for Him in the lives of their grandchildren. The overwhelming joy expressed and shared in the hope of the promises of God rang out loud and clear. They desired to live “godly in Christ Jesus.”

In 1 Timothy 4:6-10, the Apostle Paul speaks of the good servant of Jesus Christ. He teaches that while physical training is good, it is even more important to train for godliness. “Godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.“  We attain spiritual fitness through consistent practices like prayer, fasting, service, and obedience as we study and meditate on the Scriptures. These are spiritual best practices. Godliness reflects love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I believe this was the heart of these grandparents. To live out their lives in obedience to Christ, living, loving, and trusting Him to do His perfect work in the hearts and minds of their loved ones. They desire to be ‘fit’ spiritually, using every opportunity to be a godly influence on their grandchildren.

Let me say: These grandparents are not perfect. They struggle as we all do; they hurt when their families hurt; they get discouraged. But, they are determined as well to exercise faith in God. God chooses the foolish things, the weak things, the lowly things of this world to glorify Himself. May we ever rest in God to do His good work in and through us.

What are your best practices? We would love for you to share how God is working in your life and the lives of your adult children and grandchildren. Leave a comment below and let your story be an encouragement to others.