Gramma School

1 Timothy 2:11 – Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. (KJV)

Life itself is filled with constant learning. At the least-effort end of the scale, we learn something the minute we open our eyes in the morning: the time, the weather, the previous day's news.

By law, we must attend school until a certain age. We learn some basics and we're able to choose what we wish to focus our learning on as we approach middle school or the junior years — in Canada, at least.

From there on, the avenue we take for our life's vocation is pretty much up to us, and, after our formal schooling, any further learning is usually to further our chosen field, to change our life's course, or to enhance or broaden our horizons.

Recently, I was enrolled in a course entirely new to me. My classroom was a birthing room; my teacher, our granddaughter, a beautiful little girl of six pounds, fifteen ounces. Already she has demanded and captured my rapt attention.

I am new to this, and am ever thankful for those friends of mine who have attended "gramma school" before me, and shared their thoughts on the gift of the silenced tongue. As a grandparent, I know I must let her parents raise her. It is my duty to support and encourage them, keeping quiet when their ways may differ from mine. My "teacher" and I shall be in this school of learning for the rest of our lives.

All grandparents can be thankful for the gift of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. As they are not our children to raise, I believe God graces us with their presence to prepare us, in part, for grandparenthood. Each new generation brings new challenges to our faith, our beliefs, our thinking, and our way of life. These new little lives are gifts He has given us to teach us acceptance, love, tolerance, and understanding.

As grandparents, we can give thanks to God for the miracle of birth and life, and for the opportunity to be placed in this most honoured of classrooms.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the miracle you perform in creating a new life. May we look to you for guidance in our role as grandparents — always and in all ways. In your name we pray. Amen.