Okay, so after 24 hours in 11 day-old Clara’s presence, I admit to a little bit of cheek-munching and a tad bit of besmittenness. Besmittenness is not even a real word, I’m sure, but neither do the silly lyrics and tunes I’ve been singing to Clara qualify as real songs. I’m enjoying the somewhat surrealistic kingdom of grandparenthood I find myself in.

In Scripture, there is a small amount of advice for parents about rearing children. But instructions for grandparents are non-existent. I wish there were some practical tips like: “Only speak to your grown children when spoken to.” or “Do the dishes, make the meals, and wash the dirty clothes without being asked.”  or “Honor the unique way the next generation is parenting and loving their child.”

I looked up grandfather and grandmother in the on-line concordance and Bible study tool I use. The word grandfather appears a few times in the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible. Grandmother popped up a similar number of times but also in 2Timothy in the New Testament. Paul writes to Timothy, “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” (2Timothy1:5 NIV) I like this passage because my children’s grandmother is named Lois, and she is a woman of sincere and deep faith. Maybe this is my subtle Biblical instruction. Besides just offering songs, clean diapers, and cheek-munching to Clara, I can be a grandmother of sincere faith.

11-day old Clara in the crook of my knee