Our Inheritance written by Bambi Lynn

Grandparents- we are the second chase people. All the mistakes and pains we went through with parenthood; God gives us a chance to really slow down and love the little people that we call grandchildren. I know with all the heartache that took place in my home as a mom, I am blessed even for the second chance I have been given to show my children how sorry I am by loving their children like they deserved to be loved. But I didn't know how.

I learned this past week that I am truly a grandparent not a parent anymore, when I took on the task of staying with my grandsons while their parents spent much needed time together. I brought a tote full of crafts and fun ideas for the week because I was having Nona time. I learned right away that this wasn't going to be an ordinary week, where I play hard and then leave and plan my next time together.

The first thing that I realized that things would be different was I was in charge of chickens,ducks,turkeys,and a dog. I was supposed to tell my grandsons to do their chores of feeding and watering the animals. In the evening, they would have to chase some back into their homes because they didn't live with the other chickens. Well, they couldn't open the water containers by themselves, so I was dirty from chicken mess while turning the containers. The weather wouldn't stop raining so everything was muddy and sloppy. To add to the mess, the chickens were hard to catch at the end of the day while putting them back. I was outside chasing chickens in my son's fourteen size water boots slopping around in the mud. To top it off the dog jumps the fence and chases the chickens, that now have gone outside the fence. We are having to try to get the chickens inside the fence because now is tick season and I wasn't going to be pulling ticks off my grandchildren. All but one chicken came back into the fence, and we were able to get them all in their coops, but we found that one the next morning in the front yard. Did I say that I was doing all this while having a hotflash and screaming, {get the chickens} This wasn't going to be the ideal vacation I had planned.

I next learned really fast that I would spend most of my time breaking up the fighting while getting another snack plate ready because they were always starving. I started having flashbacks of years earlier in my own kitchen making snacks,dinners,breakfast, and then snacks again. At that moment I realized this wasn't going to be a Nona week, but I became a parent to four little boys that needed me to snap out of it and roll up my sleeves and put my big girl panties on and take care of business. I had to stop crying to my son and his wife when they called because I was missing out on being a nona for the week and I had to be the mom. I went into my way of parenting and had things in order and scheduled.I was now on a mission.

I planned out our days in forty-five-minute time slots. I realized to much idle time creates messes and chaos.I looked at the schedule that was left for me and we followed that also.I had very cherished times with my grandsons looking at old photo albums of my sons childhoods, we sat and did crafts,and I had precious moments listening to my two older grandson read and watch their eyes widen when they figured out the word. We played little games and decided to have fun chasing the ducks. I made it a game and a contest of having the cars cleaned out and garage put back in shape.We worked together with keeping the shoes in order and the sink empty of dishes and their floors clean with no clothes all over the place. we worked together and at night, they would ask if I was going to pray and put my hand on their heads? I went to bed exhausted every night but blessed.

I learned something this past week that I didn't think I needed to learn. I learned empathy this week for the grandparents that have taken over the role of parent to their grandchildren. I learned about the sacrifice you have made in not being able to be a grandparent. I felt your pain of waking up and having the responsibility of taking care of your precious offspring instead of feeding them chocolate and leaving. You can't just take them to the store and spoil them with anything they want and take them back home. I also didn't give my grandsons gum when I got there like I do everytime. I waited and called after I left to tell my daughter, the gum was in the cupboard. Your influence is now that of a parent and I found grace for the job you are doing. You are sacrifices for the next generation. This past week with my grandsons has taught me that your job is no small thing.

I also was reminded this past week of a boy named Timothy that his upbringing was influenced by his mother and his grandmother. The Bible talks about how Paul noted and acknowledged in his letters to the church how important Timothy's upbringing was and how strong his faith would be passed down from generations. Timothy's mom and grandmother gave him a strong legacy and taught him God's word. He was given a strong influence of faith with his mom and grandmother that made him be noticed by Paul. It was his grandmother that taught him it was faith through Jesus that brings salvation. They backed up their teachings by the example that they set before him. The consist faith that his grandmother and mother showed him set him up to walk with Paul. Paul tells us that Timothy may be young, but his faith was strong.

 In the end I spent the first part of the week feeling sorry for myself because I couldn't be the "Nona" I wanted to always be. I realized whatever hat or role I have with my grandchildren matters. I saw my grandchildren's eyes brighten up when I would mess up their hair and tell them how much I loved them. I saw their shoulders getting bigger when I told them how proud I was for the tasks they did. I smiled when I overheard them say, 'If we do this Nona will say great job" I remembered the nights I prayed over my sons, and it brought tears to my eyes as I did with my grandsons this past week.

The week was nothing I planned, but it was what God planned. I got to see how much more praying and encouraging I should do for my daughter in Love. I learned that no matter what title I have I am influencing the next generation. I realized how much our grandchildren need us in their lives. I found that my heart grew bigger, and my life changed. I grew more faith in the mission and the vision for the next generation that is also my inheritance. A Good week and back on the potter's wheel I went. Grandparents know that you matter!

Did I tell you I changed more poopy diapers this week than I ever did with any other grandchild