The Invisible Family

by | Aug 16, 2020 | 0 comments

More than two decades ago I launched what ultimately became known as the Christian Grandparenting Network. I no expert in any sense of that word in this arena. I was brand new to this thing called grandparenting. I simply wanted to find teaching and resources to help me understand and live out what God wanted me to do with this thing called grandparenting. 

What I discovered was that this group of vital family patriarchs was largely overlooked and ignored in society and the Church. So, I pursued what I began to believe was a call of God upon my life to raise awareness about this overlooked and vitally needed part of the family God—one He designed and created for a reason. I had no clear understanding about doing anything more than finding a ways to help my generation of grandparents to intentionally recognize and embrace their biblical roles.

Today, I believe God has directed me toward another task for which I feel completely unqualified to perform. Perhaps that is why God has called me to do it. It will have to be His work, not mine. In a similar way to my earlier call, this new task involves raising awareness about another invisible and ignored group in the body of Christ and our world. It is the millions of grandparents who are now parenting their own grandchildren full-time—grandparents about whom few give any thought, much as was the case when I started the Christian Grandparenting Network in 1998.

There are numerous reasons why these grandparents have been thrust into this role of parenting their own grandchildren. For some it is the result of tragic event in which the parents are dead or unable to parent their children. For some it is the result of drug or alcohol addictions such that the courts have taken custody away from the biological parents. For others it might be the result of physical or emotional abuses where the courts have granted custody to the grandparents. Whatever the reasons, these grandparents are in a unique situation compared to other grandparents. They don’t enjoy the luxury of simply being a grandparent, but they desperately need to know they are loved, valued and included as members of Christ’s body.

A NEW RESOURCE

This is why I wrote my new book released this month called Raising Your Grandchildren: Encouragement and Guidance for Those Parenting Their Children’s Children. As the title implies, it is written to encourage and provide some guidance to those who are in this situation. But it is also written to those of us who are NOT in that situation so that we might understand and acknowledge that we have a responsibility to reach out to and support those who are.

I urge you to get your copy today. During the month of August I am offering FREE shipping when you purchase the book from my web site. CLICK HERE to order your copy and get free shipping. And while you’re at it, why not order copies for those grandparents in your church who are raising their grandchildren, and one for your pastor as well. If you don’t know who these invisible members of your congregation are, ask your pastor or a children’s worker in your children’s department. They are likely to know who they are. 

This is too important a matter in your church—in OUR church—to ignore. Will you help raise awareness this invisible and valuable segment of our communities? Contact me at cavin@cavinharper.com if you’d like some more information about how to get involved in this important opportunity in your church.

Written by Cavin Harper

A graduate of Baylor University and Denver Seminary, Cavin Harper served as an associate pastor for 17 years before founding ElderQuest Ministries which later became known as the Christian Grandparenting Network. He writes a weekly blog on grandparenting and has authored several books including Courageous Grandparenting: Building a Legacy Worth Outliving You.

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