To my Grandchildren

I have four grandchildren. They call me by different names like Papa Collier, Grandpa, and Granddad. All four of them are without exemption very precious to me. The two oldest grandchildren have just graduated high school. College and trade-school are in their sights now. The other two are in high school for a couple of more years. Yes, I am proud of them and I love them even though they remind me of how old I am becoming. My walk is slow and I can no longer keep up with them. I need to call the ones who live close by to come over and help me move and lift things. They are always willing but having been their age once; I know I’m a pain sometimes.

I was thinking of some of the things I want to put into their heads before the age of, “I know it all” sets in and they become mentally disengaged. So here goes….

* If you have money in a savings account or in your wallet... you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

*If you have food in the fridge, clothes, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep... you are richer than 75% of this world.

*If you have never experienced the danger of war, imprisonment, torture, or starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people.

*If you can read this message, you are more fortunate than over 2 billion people in the world who cannot read at all.”

*Find the good and the grace in every situation. *You are not a product of your circumstances, you are a product of your decisions.

*Be the kind of person that trusts people completely until they’ve given you reason not to – not the other way around.

*Be sure and pass on your values to your children.

*God loves you. You are His creation.

*Jesus, God’s son, paid for your sins. Jesus never fails.

*If you dig a hole big enough, you will fall in.

*Don’t be a liar, a cheater, or a thief. If you do, only other liars, cheaters, and thieves will want to be your friend.

*Honor your mother and your father or you will not only answer to them but also to their mother and father, me.

*Don’t mess with “the man”. Whether a policeman, a teacher, a boss, or someone who has authority over you. Do not mess with them.

There are so many more things to say that will for now go unsaid. The most important knowledge that a child can have is to know that they are loved, protected, cared for, and that they can always count on you.