Grandfathering – What a Privilege!

By Dr. Jerry Burton

I am privileged to have eighteen (18) grandchildren. My wife and I are both in a second marriage, having lost our spouses to cancer, so we share 18 grandchildren together. I grew up in a home where my grandparents on both sides of the family were devout believers and were never embarrassed to talk about their faith with me.

My grandfather on my mother’s side did not live near us but every time he visited us, his first question to me was, “Have you learned any new Scripture verses?” No matter what my answer was, he would respond with, “If you will learn this verse (and he would give me a reference), I will give you a silver dollar.” That was quite an incentive for a young lad my age.

I believe talking about our faith with our grandchildren ought to be as natural as breathing. It is difficult for me to divorce my faith in God from any aspect of my life. I don’t want to be obsessive and/or obnoxious with my faith, but I do want to be comfortable weaving it into every arena of my life. And that includes time spent with grandchildren.

I think my first real encounter with my grandchildren was when they were old enough to understand someone reading to them. I was always ready and willing to read a Bible story book with them at bed time or read from the Bible itself some story appropriate to their age. I began early on teaching them the importance of prayer both in my life and their life. The thrill for me was hearing them pray a prayer they had not memorized, but that came from their heart as they spoke personally with God.

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Jerry Burton has served as Chaplian, Pastor of Counseling and Discipleship, Senior Pastor, Adjunct Professor at Moody Bilbe Institute, Worship Leader and Youth Pastor.

He holds a ThG in theology and Music (Baptist Bible College (BBC), a BA in Theology (BBC), Master of Arts in Counseling and a Master of Divinity from Luther Rice Seminary. He holds a PhD (Biblical Studies) Louisiana Baptist University.

At 81 years of age Jerry is retired. Together, he and his wife, Carol, have been in ministry for ministry that 40 years and desire to continue serving the Lord wherever God leads.

Carol is an accomplished pianist and soloist and teaches piano. She holds a B.A. in Music from Baptist Bible College and has done some postgraduate work towards a degree in counseling. She also speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese.

The Two of them are active in Connecting Point Ministry.

Bio Photo Credit: Image by Ingo Kramarek