Far Apart ... Close at Heart

Grandparents, Godparents, and even Parents who live far away from their grandchildren, godchildren, or children are looking for ways to be an integral part of the child’s faith formation.

Suggested activities:

                        A.         E-mail prayers

                        B.         Pick a Bible story of the week and have a child mail a picture back to you.

                        C.         Send a letter or note telling of your love for them.

                        D.         When sending gifts, think about how they might be helpful in the development of faith.  Bible Story Books, puppets of Biblical Characters or scripts of Bible Stories for puppets to act out, inexpensive nativity scenes or Easter scenes so they can move the pieces, Noah’s Ark pieces, Christian Music CD’s and DVD’s, money and relay the expectation that some of it would be used in fulfilling God’s work in the world (they might choose to give it to church, to help a hungry person, purchase cookie dough to bake cookies for their neighbor - 10% is a wonderful spot to start.  In order for this to be easily done, instead of sending a $10 bill, send ten ones (learning 10%))

                                   Pay for the child to attend a week at Bible Camp, Purchase a subscription to a family devotional book such as Davey and Goliath’s Devotions for Families on the Go from Augsburg Fortress or a subscription to The Little Lutheran Magazine, Water gifts - and let the child know that it is a water gift to help him/her remember their baptism - squirt guns, bath tub toys, tickets for a day at the water park.

                        E.         When your church provides family devotional books or other faith development items, send them to your child.

                        F.         Stand at your church’s baptismal font and take a picture and write about it.  Ask the child to take a picture at the baptismal font in their church and send it back to you

                        G.         Commission your child to draw pictures for your Christmas Cards.

                        H.         Some night, get on the phone together and look at the stars.  Help her/him to know that you are seeing the same stars and moon that God has created from where you stand.

                        I.          Send Pretzels to your child.  Pretzels were made in the fifth century as a lenten bread and the traditional pretzel shape was meant to suggest prayer, because in those days people crossed their arms over their chest when they prayed.

                        J.         On Easter be with each other on the phone and watch the sunrise together.

                        K.         One of the greatest gifts grandparents have is the ability to share the story of faith of their family.  You can use a small inexpensive tape recorder keeping it in a handy place so that at your convenience, you can record the stories as your time allows.  Keep the stories short for smaller children and longer as age appropriate.  As you share the faith stories of your family-the most important thing is to connect your stories to “the God Story”.  Tell how God was with you in your life’s journey just as God was with people in the stories of the Bible.  Assure them that through your stories and by your example God is with them everyday.  As you share the stories of your faith remember to include how your grandchildren fit into your story.  Tell them that now they are starting their own faith stories.  Just as they are part of your stories, you, also, are part of their stories.  Invite your grandchildren to share some of their stories with you.  Be encouraging along the way.

                        L.         Sing to your grandchildren (no matter how good or bad you sing).  Little children especially learn through song.  Therefore you might even try singing some of your story to capture their attention and hold it for a few minutes.  Sing songs that were sung to you when you were a child.  Share with them why these songs mean so much to you.  Sing songs you sang to their parents when they were young.  Start with any songs and then lead into songs of faith.  Ask your grandchildren to teach you songs that they are learning in church and sing them together.  All of this can be done on the phone.

                        M.        Be intentional and remind your grandchildren how important your faith is to you and how important they are to you.  Let them know that as much as you love them,  God loves them even more.  Remind them that you are building memories - memories to last their whole life long, just like your grandparents did with you.  You can never do too much to nurture and help your grandchildren grow in faith.  Just keep the communication going, keep sharing stories, attend any church activities they are involved in and discuss with them what they are feeling and thinking.  Grandparents have a unique relationship with their grandchildren in so far as the children feel very comfortable talking to Grandma and Grandpa.

                        N.         Share your stories over and over again - little ones never tire (as adults do) of hearing the same story again and again.  Each time a child hears a story they hear something new as if it was the first time they have heard the story, gleaning new insights.  So share your stories again.

                        O.         Read to your grandchild books of faith.  When choosing a book, read it first and ask yourself a few questions such as; does this book give the image of God and Jesus I want them to have?  Does it confirm who I believe God and Jesus to be in my life?  Be careful in selecting a book and when you have found the appropriate book read and discuss it; ask if the children have questions.  Be prepared for questions you don’t have the answers to, do not be afraid to be honest and say “I do not know, but I’ll see if we can find the answer together.”  Many children’s picture books have discussion questions in the back when they deal with issues with which children struggle.

                        P.         Send something with a color of the liturgical year as the seasons change - or change the ink color on your e-mails to go with the season of the year.  Today the season of epiphany begins.  The story of Jesus’ baptism was told at our church.  The color of the season is green.  Can you find green colors at your church?

                        Q.         Make a baptismal mobile with the child - send them a piece to add to the mobile each week and explain what it has to do with baptism.

                        R.         Get a list of your child’s spelling words each week and use them in letters to the child.

                        S.         Audiotape or video tape yourself reading Christian Children’s books.  Then send the book and the cassette to the child so they can follow along as you read. 

                        T.         Find scripture verses to share with your child.  Find a way to help illustrate them.  Send them several mustard seeds (Matthew 17:20) or a small feather (Psalm 91:4) Trace your hand and write the child’s name on your palm (Isaiah 49:16) You may get more ideas if you listen to the children’s message at your church each week.

                        U.         Choose a verse of scripture and memorize it with your child.  A starting spot might be a verse of Psalm 23.

                        V.         Remember the child’s baptism together - talk with them on the phone about what you remember about the day  - weather, people in attendance, what was worn, what the child looked like, how you felt, etc.  Let them know you are still proud of them and that God continues to shape their lives.

                        X.         The greatest thing you can do for your child is PRAY FOR THEM!

                        Y.         Exchange pictures - place the child’s picture near your dressing mirror and pray for your child each day as you dress.  Let the child know that you remember him/her in prayer.

            Z.         Write a letter, draw a baptismal picture (use stickers or stamps), have items that include symbols of faith and baptism.  Share through this project - that you cared about your child so much that you took the time to write this special note to express God’s love to them.