“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6

It is special to me to write this devotion on my own father’s birthday. He turns 73 today. While he is the youngest 73 year old I know, he has passed the “three score and ten” and is entering the final chapter, or hopefully chapters, of life. While still full of energy, goals for tomorrow, and zeal for today, he can also reflect on 73 years of life and say, “children’s children are the crown of old men.” Grandchildren are not the crown just because they are so cute or lovable, although daddy loves to love on his grandchildren. The honest grandparent loves to see grandchildren come but also enjoys the quiet when they leave. I tried to enter my dad’s office the other day, but it was locked. He opened the door saying, “Don’t tell anybody, but I’ve got too many grandchildren around here”J The crown of grandchildren is really a testament to the goodness of God. They are the visible sign of God’s faithfulness through the travails of life – times when money was short, when conflict was hot, when sleep was fleeting, when rebellion raged, when children were gravely ill, and the list goes on and on. And in the laughter, squeals, and even the runny nose of a grandchild, the grandparent can look back and emphatically say, “All the doubts, all the questions, all the trials, all the needs have been met by a faithful God.”