Paula Weiss- Southern Region

A Legacy of Faith and Love 

Paula Weiss

My husband, Dick and I were able to enjoy a vacation this summer with our families. Everyone was healthy and happy (for the most part) and we are thankful for this blessing. Soon we will have our oldest 2 children, 2 more grandchildren and our great-granddaughter join us for a few days. Blessing upon blessing!! Our special joys are found in our grand-children and great-grands. We love them so very much and because our time is limited every year we pour our-selves in them as best we can. 

I love going to DQ with them or seeing their eyes light up when they receive a gift from us. But what can we give them that is really lasting?? What will ―stick with them? How can we make a difference in their lives!?? 

How can grandparents have a lasting effect-
beyond a Grandparent's Day?

How about leaving a Christian legacy for your grandkids (or kids for that matter)?! Here are some suggestions that I’ve dreamed up, or read about  (or my friend- Jenny Long has shared with me) that will help you pass along your faith life and values. 

• Share one or two special Bible verses with your grandchild each time you get to tuck them in at night. Let them know why they are special to you and why you choose to pray it over them. 
• Take them to a garage sale or rummage sale. Talk about ―earthly goods vs. ―spiritual goods.   Use the verse from Isaiah 40:7—―The grass withers and the flower fades but the Word of the Lord stands forever.
• Paint rocks! (water colors or acrylic) Find the rocks together and then paint them into insects, or fruit, or other nature objects or scenes. This is a great time to talk about God as our ROCK-- Psalm 18:46-- The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation! 
• Teach them to share Jesus’ love with others. Design greeting cards with encouraging verses (Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. I Peter 5:7) OR—bake cookies or treats and bring these to someone who needs en-couragement or a friend. 
• Pray for them! Tell them you are praying for them! Tell them what specific things you pray for—like asking God to protect them from harm or giving them strength and courage throughout their school days, or praying that the Holy Spirit will continue to grow them in faith and love!   OR keep a prayer journal WITH them…recording the requests, answers and praises.   
• Make a time capsule. If you do this before they are 10 years old…it can be opened in 12 years or more when they graduate from college. Put in a couple of things they currently enjoy (Ninja Turtles or their favorite sport, or the candy they cur-rently enjoy) Be sure to include your blessing based on your prediction for their future. (i.e.—Sally—you are strong-willed! I pray that God uses that strength in your will to accomplish His purposes for your life! I can easily see you becoming someone who defends others because you won’t back down. You get the job done!) 
• Plan a service project together.  Visit a children’s hospital and bring a few stuffed animals to share.  Read stories to the elderly in a nursing home (beginning readers love to share their talents). 

There are so many more ideas that I know you already have. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, godparent or special friend—you can share your legacy of faith and love with child. 

God bless you—as you bless them! 

...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. 

Joshua 24:15

Paula Weiss serves at Messiah Lutheran Church
in Charlotte, North Carolina

 as Director of Family Life and Youth.

She is also newly elected to the

 Board of Directors for the Southeastern District.