When grandparents become parents again
A teaching for grandparents · Psalms 68:5–6
5A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in His holy habitation. 6God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.
Context
Psalm 68 is a victory hymn celebrating God marching ahead of His people from the wilderness. In the middle of celebrating divine power, the psalmist pauses to describe the character of this God: He cares for the fatherless, defends widows and gives a home to those who are alone. For Israel, God's greatness was measured also by His care for the most vulnerable.
What the Bible teaches
“God settles the lonely in families.” Often He does this through grandparents. Many children are raised by their grandparents because of the parents' death, imprisonment, addiction, illness or abandonment. The Bible knows this reality: Mordecai raised his cousin Esther as his own daughter (Esther 2:7), and Naomi cared for Obed. Whoever takes on this task reflects the very character of God, the Father of the fatherless.
That does not make the road easy. Grandparents raising grandchildren face exhaustion, tight money, health that is no longer what it was and, often, grief or shame over the son or daughter who could not be there. It is common for the child to arrive with wounds that call for professional care. Asking for help is not a lack of faith; it is wisdom.
The church and the extended family are called to hold up these homes: offering rides, helping with homework, giving the grandparents a few hours of rest. And to grandchildren raised by their grandparents, say it clearly: you are not a burden; you are family.
In practice
If you are raising grandchildren, ask someone you trust for one concrete kind of help this week; if you know grandparents in this situation, offer some.
To talk about
Who in our family or church is raising children who are not their own, and how can we support that home?
Prayer
Father of the fatherless, You have entrusted me with children to raise at a stage when I hoped to rest. Give me strength, patience and health. Heal my grandchildren's wounds and my own. Place people beside us and make our home a safe place. Amen.