We close out the week with an email from a podcast listener named Ashley who writes and asks

this to your pastor, John, as parents of two young children, my husband and I find

ourselves regularly battling the popular idea that the job of grandparents is to spoil

their grandchildren.

We are seeking to raise our kids in the fear and admonition of the Lord, but it is hard

when our ideas are subverted by the way our parents believe they are loving their grandchildren.

Any advice on how to approach this with them respectfully?

Thank you so much for your podcast and your ministry.

They have been instrumental in our walk with Christ.

What would you say to Ashley?

One of the built-in problems in America at least is that many grandparents have more money

usually than they have geographic presence or energy to spend with their grandchildren.

Therefore they tend to make up for the guilt feelings of not being near or having energy

by giving them more stuff and more expensive stuff.

So the first thing I would say is to the grandparents listening.

I know the feeling.

I've got 12 grandchildren.

I know the feeling of having the resources and wanting to give good things to your grandchildren.

But if you're a Christian, keep in mind that having things, things and giving things as

opposed to having relationships and giving yourself are not always the best way to

love.

This takes some serious thought and creative research to discover the kinds of gifts that

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