Dear Quinn and Lena, my granddaughters. I know you’re too young to read this now. I’m writing before the fact so that whatever happens in your life this note will remind you of important, unshakable truths.
I wrote this is 2016 when I only had two granddaughters. Now I have four. Annora and Jayda. The sentiment applies equally to you.
The truth is
the world into which you’ve been born is God’s world and for the most part it is safe, secure and very, very good. It can be very, very bad.
You need to be aware, not afraid.
Be adventurous, try new things, explore, take risks, dream. Believe in yourself. Respect your parents. Make friends. Trust God.
Define your life by who God says you are, not by your circumstances. You are more than your body. You have a spirit that will live forever. What is unseen about you and this life is far greater than what can be experienced solely by your senses. Never surrender control of your body to intoxicating substances. Never trust your body to any man except the man you love and marry.
The truth is
you are a woman, created in God’s image. You are beautiful, precious, lovable and treasured just because of who you are. People who matter the most to you and should only be closest to you, believe that too. Not everyone you encounter will share that belief.
You are strong, capable, and vulnerable. Live your life with respect and dignity. Trust your heart to those only who treat you with respect and dignity.
The truth is
there are some bad guys who look like good guys.
If any man ever shames you or demeans you, he is the bad guy, not you. To be treated this way is evil. You do not deserve to be treated this way. No woman deserves this type of hurt.
If any man ever threatens you or does anything to you against your wishes, get away from him and tell somebody in authority. Tell your parents. Tell me.
If any man ever hurts you or tries to convince you that no one will believe your story or stand up for you, know his words are a lie. Those who love you will always stand with you.
The truth is
the mind is a fragile treasure. Your mind can get messed up when bad things happen to you or are done to you. Shame will silence the truth in your thinking. The truth is God will never turn His back on you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Your parents and family are God’s gift to you. We will never turn our back on you. Lean into us not away from us if ever something bad happens.
The truth is
you or one of your friends may one day need to tell a secret that should never have been kept as a secret. That choice will take courage. Trust God for strength.
Every woman you meet may not have learned these truths when they were growing up. Become a champion of others who have not found their voice. Learn to be a true friend that others can trust and turn to for help. God will bring true friends to you. They are a gift. One day, I pray you marry your best friend, like your parents did.
The truth is
put faith before fear. I love you as you are. And always will. I believe in you. I will be there for you. Nothing that happens will ever make me change my mind. I will always be proud you are my granddaughters.
I love you Quinn and Lena,
Poppa Bob
I am not a crusader. I care about people, especially family members and particularly those most vulnerable and at risk. Please share this with women and families you know. I posted this with my granddaughters’ parents’ permission. Leave a comment below. Thank you.
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A very loving and honorable letter to your grandchildren.
May the Lord keep this gentleman and grandad on his knees for these little girls.
That is one of the many things my grandma taught me respect for myself, taught me the promises of God by reading the bible, who God is and how to talk to Him as she did, on my knees and the place of prayer.
What a wonderful letter to give his granddaughters and may God bless him.
Thank you Carole for your comment and for sharing this. Grandparents are special.
You don’t know how much I needed to read that today. I must confess that more than a few times my trust has been broken in this way and I had honestly stopped looking at this world as God’s. But you are so right. I know it is because I’ve experienced His redemption more than once.
The pain of abuse and assault truly does mess up one’s mind. But the great news is, God doesn’t let a messed up mind get in the way of a redeemed soul. He stays with you down every path, every poor choice, every saddening moment others imply “you asked for” with those choices. He follows because He knows this is a broken world. He knows the pain you feel and weeps with you. He is just waiting for you to find Him. He is always there.
Thanks for writing this for your grand babies and sharing it with all of us who needed a grandpa’s letter to remind us how loved we really are. Much love and respect for you PB!
Joscelyn and you, Pastor Bob , I know, are great Grandparents.
Why? Because I knew the great parents you are as well.
God bless all of you!
…….. red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the precious children in the world. Amen
Thank you Calay for sharing as one who knows the injustices and pain that some women are subjected to. Takes courage enough to care.
Hi Bob, I saved the letter that you wrote in 2016 to your Granddaughters. You shared it with Northpointe one Sunday. Your words rang through as clear then as they do now.
Geoff