I’ve never experienced the depth of joy my sister described, but my heart wanted to join with hers just the same.
“I have to share one of the greatest joys I’ve ever had,” she texted me. “I just prayed with my granddaughter for her to begin a relationship with Jesus.”
My sister is such an inspiration to me in how she intentionally makes space in her life to develop strong relationships in her family. Within these relationships, she follows Deuteronomy 6:7, where God instructed His people to share His teachings with the next generation: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
My sister knows that within the context of relationship she will have the greatest opportunity to share what is most important to her: Jesus. To encourage these relationships, she intentionally makes time, especially for her grandchildren — even when it’s inconvenient. As they bake cakes, go for walks and even make YouTube videos, she is looking for and creating space to share Jesus’ great love for each of them. It does come at a cost, for often it means taking time from other things she enjoys as well.
Caring always costs us something.
From what I can see, though, sharing Jesus with others appears to be a natural process for her.
- She spends time with Jesus.
- She spends time with her people.
- She shares Jesus with her people.
In these everyday moments, she’s developing a tether of love, identity and joy between the generations of her family — a set of values where both young and old cherish their relationships. My sister lives out the gospel message as she shows her family love both in spending time with them and sharing Jesus with them.
As I texted my sister back to rejoice in this momentous occasion, I thought of how, even though I do not have grandchildren, I want to be like her — eager to share my faith with the next generation. I can start that today. I can share what Jesus has done and is doing in my life with my own children, the children of family members, children in the neighborhood and children in our church.
May each of us be intentional to apply the heart of Deuteronomy 6:7 to our life, sharing Jesus’ Good News and love wherever we find ourselves sitting, walking, lying down and rising.
Jesus, may my love for You spill out every day to those around me, and may I share Your love where I can with whomever I can. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
