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Credo Catholic
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| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1540 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 06:00 pm |
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I haven't been on the forum regularly lately because I've had a little grandson visiting for a few days. He's six, and it's been an exhausting but wonderful visit. However, I'm appalled at the lack of knowledge he has about anything religious. He really doesn't even know who Jesus is. This from my grandson? I just can't believe my daughter and sil haven't done even the basics of teaching him and his siblings what they need to know. In between trips to the park and the pool, I took him to our church a couple of times. The first time we went in, it was very dark but an organist was practicing. He said it was "spooky." We went to the front and when I genuflected he did too. I lowered the kneeling bench and kneeled, he did too. I told him to say a little prayer, he said he didn't know how. I told him just to think about God for a minute. When we left I crossed myself with the holy water, then I crossed his forehead with it. The next day we went back, and I lit a candle and let him put the money in the box for it. We prayed for his Daddy to get a new job. Then I let him put a bunch of change in the poor box for poor children. He was very interested in who these poor children were, why they needed money. Because I grew up in a home where it was as normal to go to church as it was to breathe, it's hard to see how two generations later it can be lost. Even though I took my daughter to church when she was growing up, it wasn't the same somehow. I am having a tendency to blame myself for this lapse, but I don't know what I did wrong. Has anyone else experienced this sadness?
My grandson noticed the crucifx I wear and asked if that was a man on it? I said yes, it is a man. He asked if the man was doing gymnastics? I guess he thought it looked like the "iron cross" that men do on the rings. Because he is really into reading now, we went to the bookstore and bought a few beginner reading books and read them at bedtime. I bought a small children's bedtime prayer book that he can read. I asked his mom to let him keep it under his pillow, so he can read a prayer each night. She said she would, but somehow I think it will not get done.
How can this country, and this world, get any better if this is the way parents are raising children? If we look at the TV schedule they can name every cartoon character listed, but they don't know who Jesus is.
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EMarshallBuckles
Member
| Joined: | Mon Nov 19th, 2007 |
| Location: | Rockville (Near Richmond), Virginia USA |
| Posts: | 669 |
| First Name: | Marshall | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Christian Church,Episcopal Church,Baptist denomination,learning about RCC |
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Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 07:04 pm |
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Well, ma'am, of course, the devil is still very active and doing everything he can to try to destroy our nation (the USA although he is working hard to try to destroy other nations as well) because of the huge influence for God that our nation has had over the years. Even so, there are various forces which help counter evil - such as Christian grandparents like YOU (may God bless you dear lady). One thing you might try is sending DVDs of "Veggie Tales" to your grandchildren (http://www.bigidea.com) which will sort of start "easing them into" Christian religious instruction (Veggie Tales will greatly entertain them and will slip in Bible messages). Then there are entertaining yet more "up front" Catholic children's programs which can be found at http://www.marianland.com and http://catholiccompany.com among others. If I was a grandparent, and if my child was not giving religious instruction to my grandchildren, I would be sending the grandchildren secular gifts at Christmas, Easter, birthdays, other holidays, and I would ALSO be sending DVDs, such as those mentioned above, entertaining children's Christian books, Christian jewelry and even Christian candy (yes, they do have that available). Then, of course, when you are with your grandchildren, you can always talk to them about God, tell them about Jesus. Plant the seed. Of course, you can (and I am sure do) pray for them ferevently as well. Although my parents were Christians, and lived decent lives before my siblings and me, they did NOT do a good job of witnessing to me about Jesus as they really should have done. HOWEVER, my dearly beloved Christian Grandmother, the late Mrs. Elizabeth Long of Bristol, Tennessee, had a huge Christian influence upon me. I treasure her precious memory! I have known of many other Christian aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins and even friends of the family who are the ones who lead family members to Christ when parents, even Christian parents, fail to do so. Looks like you have your "grandchild mission field" set before you! And how well blessed are those dear grandchildren to have a wonderful Christian grandmother like you!  Last edited on Sat Jun 21st, 2008 09:13 pm by EMarshallBuckles
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JasPax
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| Joined: | Wed Nov 22nd, 2006 |
| Location: | North Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 272 |
| First Name: | James | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Episcopal to Catholic |
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Posted: Sat Jun 21st, 2008 07:13 pm |
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Well Marsha,
Thank God he has you. Be around him as muchas you can. If possible, take him to daily Mass. Continue to talk with him about Jesus. Even when you don't think he is paying attention, he's getting something. Let him know how much you like his company.
I'm a grandfather and I know how difficult it is to keep quiet when you see your children making parental mistakes. But we can't ruin any chance to help the grandcildren if we become a pest. We just must be sneakky about it !
It is amazing how childhood memories of grandparents stay with all of us. You will be the spark that brings him to the Church in due time.
God's Blessings,
____________________
James
"Abide in me, and I in you..." John 15:4
"He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." John 6:56
RSV-2CE
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Pani Rose
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| Joined: | Fri Oct 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Irondale, Alabama USA |
| Posts: | 675 |
| First Name: | Rose | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Ruthenian Byzantine in a Melkite Greek Catholic Parish, raised ... |
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 04:21 am |
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My husband, well his faith is because of his grandma. Now he is a deacon, so one never knows. I tell our grandbaby that grandma can do more than superman and spiderman. Now how long he is going to believe me I don't know  But hopefully, he will always believe me about Jesus and his Momma.
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left coast mystic
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| Joined: | Sat May 10th, 2008 |
| Location: | La Honda, California USA |
| Posts: | 167 |
| First Name: | Marcee | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | nondenominational charismatic, Presbyterian, long-time lover of the RCC |
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 06:15 pm |
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Marsha -
I suspect that most people who become christians as adults will find (once they get to heaven) that their conversion was due to their grandparents praying for them.
Be encouraged that when you take your grandson to church with you it has a POWERFUL (and lasting) effect. Although he used the word "spooky", I suspect that if his vocabulary were larger he might use the word "awesome" to describe what he sensed there. Children are incredibly sensitive to God's presence. God will hide every memory, every detail in your grandson's heart and bring them to his remembrance in the fullness of time.
____________________
Godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Tim. 6:6)
In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength. (Isa. 30:15)
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sewnsew
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
| Posts: | 905 |
| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 06:58 pm |
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Marsha, just continue to give your grandson all the information and examples that you can- veggie tales and odessy stories are good- my kids will still discuss moral issues that get brought up with Oddessy & Whit's end stories. Those are both focused on Protestant doctrines though so if there are similar recources for Catholic kids I would look into them. I do sense a little bit of self blame here on you daughter's family becoming so secularized in 2 generations- it isn't your fault. My family has done that within ONE generation- mine When we were kids we were in church, youth groups, acolytes etc. When I was in my late teens my parents fell away from our church and started attending a Unitarian church or nothing. As long as I was home I took the younger kids (there is a gap of 18 years between myself and the baby) to our church but once I left that fell by the wayside and my family has in fact turned very anti- religion ( any religion). The last time I went home I stayed with a sister who had a postcard of Jesus outside a door with the phrase "Jesus says when I knock open the door and I will enter" and then in bold large letters "Don't open the door" Even being in the samed room as that card offended me terribly and for the duration of my vist I took it down and placed it face down under the dresser scarf- hm I wonder when she found it come to think of it
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Coach America
Member
| Joined: | Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 |
| Location: | St. Johns, Michigan USA |
| Posts: | 37 |
| First Name: | Art | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | [churches of Christ /Christian Churches] Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 07:33 pm |
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Please don't get caught in to old "blame game". Most Christian parents do their best with the tools they have when raising children. Children seem to want to find their own way no matter what. Just keep up the good example, have an answer ready when the little ones ask, and always keep a beautiful happy smile no matter what. Your example and attitude WILL lead this child who will in turn have an effect on mom..
God Bless...
Coach...
____________________
Lets coach our kids,coach our community,and coach America in the teachings of our Lord.
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Intercessor
Member
| Joined: | Tue Sep 25th, 2007 |
| Location: | Southcentral, Kentucky USA |
| Posts: | 1423 |
| First Name: | Becky | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Southern Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Sun Jun 22nd, 2008 07:43 pm |
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Credo Catholic wrote:
I just can't believe my daughter and sil haven't done even the basics of teaching him and his siblings what they need to know. . . . Because I grew up in a home where it was as normal to go to church as it was to breathe, it's hard to see how two generations later it can be lost. Has anyone else experienced this sadness?
I asked his mom to let him keep it under his pillow, so he can read a prayer each night. She said she would, but somehow I think it will not get done.
Marsha, I suspect your experience is the norm now for devout Southern Baptist women (and former Southern Baptist women) our age. In this Kentucky county it is, sadly, also common for Catholic women our age. My son's grandfathers were both ordained ministers. His dad was an active deacon until he lost his health, while I was a Sunday School teacher.
Except for a couple of months, my son has not attended church since leaving for college fourteen years ago, though he was active in Young Life and widely admired by church adults during his high school years for his devotion and faith.
I think it's important to reflect on a couple of points. One is that even without contemplating generational shifts, just within one's own heart, it is a dangerous and frightening thing to resist the action of the Holy Spirit. Each time we resist even the subtlest, slightest prompting, He retreats and returns with an even fainter prompting the next time.
As a Sunday School teacher, I always tried to remind myself and my ladies that we diminish the life and power of Christ within us with each act of disobedience or each decision to resist a call to holiness, however small. And, as Catholics, of course, our doctrine makes us keenly aware of the real seriousness of that loss of grace. Too few Christians (Baptist or Catholic) understand this truth.
The other important point is that we must not lose hope, not for ourselves, not for our children and grandchildren. We have to keep doing what you are doing--taking advantage of every opportunity for prayer, sacrifice, instruction, and example. May God have mercy and keep us faithful for ourselves and for those we love so much.
Perhaps that little grandson will be called to the priesthood.
Becky
Last edited on Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 12:10 am by Intercessor
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Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials. . .the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life. . . NAB James 1:2-4,12
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Credo Catholic
Member
| Joined: | Sat May 5th, 2007 |
| Location: | Greenville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 1540 |
| First Name: | Marsha | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Baptist, Catholic |
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Posted: Mon Jun 23rd, 2008 02:42 am |
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Intercessor wrote: [size=point is that we must not lose hope, not for ourselves, not for our children and grandchildren. We have to keep doing what you are doing--taking advantage of every opportunity for prayer, sacrifice, instruction, and example. May God have mercy and keep us faithful for ourselves and for those we love so much.
Perhaps that little grandson will be called to the priesthood.
I would rather have him become a priest than I would win the lottery. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. And I will definitely look for the DVD's you all recommended.
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