Today has been THE most beautiful summer day in the Midwest … a perfect opportunity to sit on the lawn, feel the gentle breeze and revel in God’s creation. It’s rare for any of us to find time to ponder in this fast-paced, demanding world.  But when it comes, what do we think about?

FAMILY! We reminisce about our childhood, our parenthood, and now our grandparenthood. As the memories flood back, we realize just how much we have to share with our grandchildren. Fun times. Scary times. Kooky times. Serious times. Embarrassing times. Times of success. Times of failure. Everything we’ve learned throughout many decades.

Gail Lumet Buckley, the daughter of actress Lena Horne, experienced this when she discovered photos, mementos and other memories her father had saved in an old trunk. That carefully preserved collection inspired her to write a book about her family history. She observed: “Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present and future.”

We are so blessed because we can share these memories with our grandchildren today — whether we are with them in person or on the opposite side of the planet. Thank you, Lord, for this digital age where memories aren’t confined to an attic trunk, but can be enjoyed and shared every day.

We have our cherished memories as grandparents — memories of our own childhood, and memories of nurturing our own children to adulthood. But what’s amazing to think is that we are making memories now for our children and grandchildren. In everything we do and say.

This revelation came to me suddenly a few months ago when we lost my mother … our children’s grandma … and our granddaughter’s great-grandma. As our adult children gave personal testimonies at the funeral of the memories they had of their grandmother, it was amazing to hear what things stuck in their memories. Funny moments. Special times. Sacrificial actions. Character traits. Endearing personality. Acts of love. Things she taught them.

I realized, for the first time, what a monumental influence a grandparent can be in a child’s life. Yes, I always knew that, but hearing it spoken by our children is when it really came alive for me.

And then I thought back to my own grandparents, and what I remembered about them. The first thought that came to my mind was remembering my grandma teaching me the Lord’s Prayer when I was 3 years old … in the bathtub. She used that time to saturate me not just with soap and water but with Scripture. And 15 years later she purchased a Bible for my 18^th birthday and died before she could give it to me. But it was passed on to me after her funeral and became a precious memory, and one of the tools God used to bring me to salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. How I wish I could thank her personally right now, but I rejoice that one day I will be able to do so.

There are so many moments to treasure in this life, and it’s so easy to let them slip by.

Here’s a National Grandparents Day memory-making idea that we hope will bring you joyful memories of the past and future rich relationships with your grandchildren:

Relax on the lawn (or wherever you can be alone with God and truly ponder) and make three lists:

1. Memories of your grandparents that you cherish.
2. Memories of your times with your grandchildren that you cherish.
3. Memories that you want to make with your grandchildren in the future, to disciple them in the Lord Jesus and to leave them a legacy of precious times with you, their very special grandpa and grandma.

May God bless you and give you — and your children —and your grandchildren — beautiful memories to treasure throughout their lives, and to pass on to the generations after them.