Pleasant Surprise

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favour rather than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

Sometimes an event takes you by surprise, but in a good way. This one happened unexpectedly and made me smile. When you get to know some folks better each and every time you meet them, they sometimes will give you a nickname, or a ‘pet name’ as a way of showing friendship and a confirmation that your relationship is on good ground.

This mainly happens with young love, and between husband and wife, but there can be other occasions. Have you ever been called by a name other than your Christian name, or a shortened version? Most have, but what would be the ‘good name’ this verse can be talking about? That is when I got my surprise.

I am blessed to have two fine daughters, and grandchildren at various stages and ages. To them, I am known simply as ‘granda’, and I confess to enjoying the title. Not grandad, or grampa, or grandpa, but ‘granda’. I feel blessed when this name is used because some history lies behind its use, making it even more special.

I have met some lovely, Godly people, and in some way each one has enriched my life, but I have always remained known by my given name. This time it was different. Out of the blue, one of my new friends referred to me as ‘granda’. Of course not their granda, or even a relation, but their way of recognising the role played in my grandkids’ lives. To me, there is no greater honour than being called ‘dad’ or ‘granda’? As the verse indicates, that is a ‘good name’ and as far as I’m concerned, better than ‘great riches’.

Head of the House?

If anyone causes one of these little ones – those who believe in me – to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung round their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6

He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 1 Timothy 3:4

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

As a dad and granda, these verses tug at my heart. There must have been times when I was short with my children, and didn’t give them their place to be heard. Did I ever make them feel unloved? I hope not, certainly, that was never my intention, but did I do it without needed and expected due care and attention? The Bible is clear. God loves a family man, but that comes with great responsibility. Jesus’ words make that obvious.

It goes further than my own, or your, children because Jesus refers to ‘those who believe in me’, as little ones in the faith. The same applies. Have I always been a steadying influence on those who would look to me as a Christian? Am I a good example in my talk, walk, and way of life? It seems that the weight of responsibility on men and dads is heavy. Are we up to the challenge? Am I up to the mark?

It is too easy to speak with loveless authority, to the point that we lose our influence and example. What else can we leave to our children and those younger in the faith who watch us? The house, car and money you leave in your will, are soon gone and spent, but your influence and example live on well after your passing. We only have this life to get it right, so let’s make every effort to live as that positive and Godly example while we have the chance. The alternative with its consequences to all those who follow after us, or watch us, do not bear thinking about. Let’s do our best to avoid that outcome… at ALL costs!