3 Ways to Build Your Grandchildren’s Faith at the Beach
Our grandkids like to build sandcastles, but when we’re at the beach, we build faith too.
I love the ocean. We take our grandkids to the beach in Galveston every summer. Most of my children shun Galveston for the white sands of Florida or the California beaches, but it’s a favorite place of mine.
And who doesn’t love La Kings on the Strand?
Here are some favorite faithbuilders for the grandkids while we’re there.
1. Sand and Psalm 139:17-18
Psalm 139:17-18 (NET) reads, “How difficult it is for me to fathom your thoughts about me, O God! How vast is their sum total. If I tried to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.”
Did you catch the “about me” part? Don’t miss it because this is key.
I print this verse on small cards for the kids to take home. I also bring little vials they can fill with sand.
First, we read the verse and talk about God’s thoughts about us. How they outnumber the grains of sand.
Next, I encourage them to get a few grains in their hands and to count them. Of course, they can’t.
Then, they fill up the vial and take a stab at how many grains are inside.
Then, I widen the count to the number of grains on the beach where we’re sitting.
Then, we expand to include all the grains of sand in the whole world.
That’s how much God thinks about us. It blows my mind. How much more will it rock their world? It’s a good thought to have and the vial of sand gives them a visual reminder at home.
2. Creatures and Genesis 1:20-23
Genesis 1:20-23 says, “And God said, ‘Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.’ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it according to their kinds and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”
The beach and ocean are filled with creatures and plant life. Gulls, sand pipers, crabs, fish, seashells, sea turtles, water, waves, plants.
I ask our grandkids to choose one thing to zero in on while we’re there.
I ask them, “How do you see God in _________?” If they’re older, encourage them to do a little research.
Everything God has made will reflect Him in some manner. Encourage your grandkids to dig for it.
As they watch the waves go out and in, what does that tell them about God?
As they see the pelicans scoop up their dinner, what does that tell them about God?
Crabs that walk sideways, snapping their pinchers, how does this creature reflect its Maker?
God says all that He has made is good. How is it good, and how does it reflect Him?
3. Rule, Dominion, and Genesis 1:26
Genesis 1:26 reads, “Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’”
Another thing to talk about on the beach, especially with older kids, is the fact God has given man rule, or dominion, over the earth.
Psalm 8:6-8 reads, “You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds of the sky and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.”
How, then, do we take care of this incredible planet God has made?
Specifically, the oceans and the beach? The creatures that we see here, as well as the plant life?
Even the littles can take care of trash. We do our best to leave no trace and the sea gulls usually help with any spilled snacks.
But is there more we can do? The Focus on the Family magazines (Clubhouse, Jr., Clubhouse, and Brio) are great about highlighting kids who care for the earth and for others. Though Jesus is Master of the wind and waves, He has given us the ocean and beaches to steward. What does good stewardship look like?
Switching from plastic to reusable containers.
Choosing clothes with natural fibers over synthetics.
Using biodegradable cleaning products.
And, of course, reef-safe sunscreen.
Psalm 139 and Genesis 1. Both can start faith-building conversations at the beach.
Let’s pray. Father God, thank You for the wind and waves. Thank You for Your mastery of both. Give us eyes to see Your fingerprints in Your creation. May we stand in awe at the number of times You think about us. Help us teach and train our grandchildren to steward well the good things You have given us. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
If you’re lucky enough to head for the beach this summer, take advantage of your surroundings and point out God’s fingerprints. Count grains of sand. Look for God’s characteristics in His creatures. And steward well, both your grandchildren and the beach you play on.
Resources and Scripture to Help Grandparents:
Canva print of Psalm 139:17-18
Next week’s post: Faith and Fishing with Your Grandchildren.
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