How to Become a Bold, Brave, and Be There Grandparent

As Christian grandparents, how do we impact the faith of future generations? We go BIG, starting with B.

B for Bold. B for Brave. And B for Be There.

I love to hike. Trails speak to me of adventure, growth, and connection. Some trails I’ve

hiked many times. For others, I hired a guide because the trail was new to me.

We’re on a faith journey just like our grandkids. Like the familiar trail of a favorite hike, we’ve

walked this faith ground before. We can guide our grandkids as they walk this narrow path, be it

the early steps of childhood, the awkward years of middle and high school, or the exciting

newness of college and early adulthood. Our faith, our calmness in crisis (God’s peace), and our godly

wisdom can help them navigate the tricky parts of a trail that’s new to them.

Here’s how we go BIG.

1. Be Bold.

To share our faith makes us risk takers. We risk rejection, eyerolls, and blank stares.

Will we make mistakes? Yes, and that’s okay. I’ll gladly risk mess ups, puzzled looks, or an object lesson

that never materialized over losing an opportunity for impact.

But playing it safe, staying quiet, or refusing God’s call altogether, is to disobey.

And disobedience means we miss a front row seat for God’s work in our grandkids’ lives.

Acts 4 speaks of the boldness of the early church. 

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak Your word with great

boldness . . . After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all

filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. Acts 4:29, 31

Part of our preparation is prayer, so let’s ask for boldness.

2. Be Brave.

When God calls you, He doesn’t give you a sealed envelope with orders, then send you on your

way.

He goes with you.

Still, speaking up can be a little intimidating, scary even, if you’ve never done it before.

Joshua 1:9 reads, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do

not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

I also like this passage about bravery. This 1 Chronicles passage speaks of David’s mighty men.

Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors,

ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions. 1

Chronicles 12:8

That’s us too. With faces of lions. We step out in faith because our God goes with us.

3. Be There.

As great as it is to play games, take trips, and give presents, our calling requires something more.

1 Peter 3:15 reads, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to 

Do our grandkids know why we do what we do?

Why we give?

Why we go to church?

Why we read our Bibles?

Why we buy lunch for that soldier or police officer or the homeless guy on the corner?

Do they know why we don’t cheat at checkers?

Or why we take the smaller piece of cake and let them have the larger one?

Be there.

Live out your faith before the watching eyes of your grands, but let’s do more than show up.

Let’s explain the why behind what we do.

In the next several weeks, we’ll explore the letters I and G, as we talk about going BIG.

But today, remember: Be bold, be brave, and most of all, be there.

Be bold. If you aren’t well-connected with your grandkids, don’t waste another moment. Reach

out. Now. Cards, letters, phone calls, FaceTime. Do something to connect with your grandkids

this week.

Be brave. Pray. Prayer is your secret weapon, so use it. Pray for boldness, pray for direction, but

pray. Ask your kids and grandkids how you can pray for them.

Be there. Look at your calendar. What’s coming up next? How can you connect and be there for

those grandkids? Then, choose one topic and share your why. 

Put on your lion face and ROAR!

Boldness, bravery, and being there. Go BIG!

Let’s pray.

Father God, I pray for this generation of grandparents. 

Give us boldness and bravery. 

Arrange our schedules so we can be there. 

Give us favor in whatever way we are able to show up and make impact. 

Give us faces of lions. And guide our next steps. Thank You. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

I’d love to hear from you. Let me know if you found one B easier than another. Which of the three do you

gravitate toward? If you have an additional B we need to hear about, please share in the comments below.

Now, let’s hit the trail. See you out there.

Gayle Veitenheimer’s Favorite Hikes (in no particular order):

1. Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, Barr Trail (Garden of the Gods as well)

2. Grand Canyon National Park, Rim-to-Rim from North Kaibab to both South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails

3. Big Bend National Park, Santa Elena Canyon Trail

4. Acadia National Park, Bee Hive Trail

5. Mt. Rainier National Park, Spray Park Trail

6. Olympic National Park, Storm King Trail

7. Channel Islands National Park, Potato Harbor Trail

8. Kauai, Hanakapiai Falls Trail

9. Orridi di Uriezza, Northern Italy

10. Multiple trails at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge

Next week: Go BIG! I: How to Become an Intentional, Invested, and Inviting Grandparent