A Grandfather’s Perspective

By Tom Smith

Noble Warriors offers many resources for younger (than me) men who have children and struggle with the day-to-day activities of raising them. Admittedly, it is exceedingly difficult in today’s world. I am retired, having “been there and done that” for 45 plus years. Strange as it may seem, two of my favorite verses from God’s Word have one thing in common – being old!

“I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging for bread.” Psalm 37:25

“Grandchildren are the crown of the old, and the glory of sons is their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6

Being old comes with great perspective.

Here are just a few of the challenges I remember that young dads and husbands face:

Newborns – Diapers, feeding, sibling rivalry, and a very tired wife and mom. Did I mention diapers and feeding?
Toddlers – Diapers, messes, learning to eat, more messes, learning to walk and talk, and a very tired wife and mom.
Adolescents – Soccer, baseball games, teenage drama – lots of drama, late-night conversations with kids, some tense parental discussions, and a very tired mom and dad.
Elementary, middle, high school, college, and weddings – When I was in this stage of life, I thought it would never, ever end and would go on forever. PANIC!

But it did end, and all too soon, I might add. I realized at that point that all the “stuff” from the birth of my children to now – remember, I am old – was a huge, amazing gift from God. Today, in addition to my two amazing daughters, I have two wonderful sons-in-law and six incredible grandchildren.

So to the young fathers and husbands who are not quite as old as I am, I’d like to offer some thoughts:

Men, love your wives. The most important thing you can do for your children is to love their mother. This sets an amazing example.
Recognize that your children are a work in progress, and you have much input into that work. But good work takes time – lots of time, and work – lots of work.
It takes wisdom to see your investment in your kids just as you would any other long-term investment. Be patient, kind, and loving as you wait for the return.
Hang in there and hang on to the Lord! He has an awesome blessing for you if you persevere.

Back to being old – we will all grow old, and we will leave behind everything we have built, accumulated, or achieved in our lifetime. I hope you grasp that fact. As I, you, we grow older, remember that your children and grandchildren will carry on your legacy.

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Mike Young

Executive Director at Noble Warriors

Launching Noble Warriors in 2005 was the result of a clear calling to move into full-time ministry to men. Today Mike leads the ministry, by God’s grace, to serve churches as they equip men to walk with Christ and lead well.

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