Follow Those Who Follow God

When I was younger I didn’t think about how blessed I was to grow up so close to my grandparents. I just thought that’s how it was for everyone until friends of mine said they only saw their grandparents on holidays and birthdays and some of them lived in different states. Molly and I, on the other hand, could ride our bikes to Grandma Ruth’s and learned how to drive on that half of mile of highway going to Papa Vernon’s and Grandma Evelyn’s.

Growing up, we spent hours with our Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Kent, Grandma Evelyn and Papa Vernon, Great Grandma Liz, Great Grammy Anderson, Great Grandma Vera and Great Grandma Pauline. We played, we baked, we ate, we made crafts. We took meals to the harvest field, we fed the cows, we made noodles, we played Skip-bo. When I met Tyler, I was fortunate enough to gain another set of grandparents: Grandma Gretta and Grandpa Richard, Grandma Lynda and Grandpa Ken and Great Grandma Dorothy. We are thankful to experience life with all of them, feel their love and gain their wisdom.

When I think of my grandparents, or all grandparents in general, a quality that they all possess is wisdom. No matter what they say or do, they are sharing their knowledge with others –most of the time not even realizing it. The best wisdom that I’ve inherited from my grandparents is their love for their Creator. They are humble and realize that the wisdom that they have is from God alone. He led them down their path of life full of experiences and shaped them into the people that continue to seek wisdom through prayer, reading the word, and going to church.

“Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.” Proverbs 3:13

Just as I look to my grandparents for advice, knowledge, and wise lessons, we must look to God for that guidance, just as they do and have learned to do.

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17

When we are lacking confidence, looking for our purpose, or seeking the light in life rather than the dark, we must look above for the Heavenly wisdom because that is the only thing that is perfect and true. We must cling to that advice and actually listen to it. We must admit that our Creator knows best, not us or our earthly desires.

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Proverbs 19:20

When I was browsing on Pinterest today, I saw a list of “Family Rules.” I can hear my grandmas saying all of these things as they apply to my family and any family who is putting God first.

Family Rules:

1. Always be honest (Proverbs 12:22)

2. Count your blessings (Psalm 34:1-3)

3. Bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)

4. Forgive and forget (Micah 7:18)

5. Be kind and tender hearted (Ephesians 4:32)

6. Comfort One Another (1 Thessalonians 4:18)

7. Keep your promises (Romans 4:21)

8. Be supportive of one Another (Acts 20:35)

9. Look after Each Other (Deuteronomy 15:11)

10. And above all, love one another deeply from the heart (1 Peter 1:22)

We must learn to listen, seek wisdom and simply follow these family rules. I learn something new every day when I spend time with my grandparents and I count my blessings for the time spent with them. We must become lifelong learners always willing to put in that time with God to receive His wisdom –just as my grandparents have done and will continue to do. Follow those who follow God.