When I was growing up, my grandfather never seemed old.

He kept a high spirit all his days, which I got to enjoy in our relationship.

He lived life on tiptoe. He stayed young at heart. He found living to be an adventure: exciting, and intriguing, fun. He taught me how to handle a motorboat. He took me fishing. Plus, the riskiest adventure of all...he taught me to drive.

He put me behind the wheel of his ’39 Ford in El Campo, Texas. I remember ripping the front fender right off that beautiful car of his, but my granddad never moved. “Just back up and try it again, son. I can buy new fenders, but I can’t buy a new grandson. Let’s try it again.” That was my granddaddy, Mr. L. O. Lundy. What a magnificent model! And what a significant influence he had—and still has—on me.

It was nine o’clock on Christmas morning in 1983 when it became my turn.

Ryan Thomas was born to our older son and daughter-in-law. A six-pound, eight-ounce grandson who would provide Cynthia and me a chance to try parenting again...only this time with a lot more to give and a lot less to prove. Grandparenting became increasingly more significant to us through the passing of time as we reinvested our time and energy, our treasure and love—just like my grandfather did for me.

The next-generation brood of Swindolls has now grown to 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren! What a great privilege it has been for us to be grandparents...now, for more than 40 years.

I’ve learned grandparents’ favourite gesture is open arms and their favourite question is, “What do you wanna do?” and their favourite words are “I love you, honey.”

Grandparents don’t look for mistakes and failures. They forgive them. They don’t remember that you spent your last dollar foolishly. They forget it. They don’t skip pages when they read to you...nor do they say, “Hurry up,” when you want to see how far you can make the rock skip across the lake. They’ll even stop and lick an ice cream cone with you.

But best of all, when grandchildren want to talk, grandparents want to listen.

Long, loud lectures are out...so are comments like, “You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” Things like money and possessions and clothes aren’t nearly as meaningful when you’re with your grandchild. Getting somewhere on time isn’t half as important as enjoying the trip.

Grandparents have made enough errors to understand that perfectionism is a harsh taskmaster, and that self-imposed guilt is a hardened killer. They could be superb instructors, but their best lessons are caught more than they’re taught. Their Christianity is seasoned, filtered through the tight weave of realism, heartache, loss, and compromise.

As a grandparent, Jesus is not only your Lord, He’s your Friend and long-time Counsellor. Like a massive tree, you provide needed shade, you add beauty to the landscape, and you don’t mind being used. You’re there. Even if not much is happening, you are there.

If you have grandchildren, you have a unique opportunity to invest in the lives of the next generation in your family. Never underestimate how significant your influence is!

My latest grandparenting adventure has been mentoring two of my adult grandsons. One grandson is 38 and the other is 30. Neither is married. We meet on Saturday mornings, alone, the three of us. Some of the most meaningful times I’ve ever had with anyone, I’ve had with them.

Looking in their eyes, I can’t help but remember the words of General Douglas MacArthur, which I initially read when our first child, Curt, was born in 1961. It’s called, “A Father’s Prayer.” The aging leader asks God to build him a son of strong character, humble spirit, a person of compassion, determination, simplicity, and greatness. His closing words almost brought tears to my eyes. After claiming all these things by faith, he adds: “Then I, his father, will dare to whisper, ‘I have not lived in vain.’”

Today, the same prayer is on my lips and tears are on my face. This prayer is for all my grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as it once was for my children. And the tears? Well, my family has gotten used to them.

That’s how it is with granddads.

This article has been adapted by Insight for Living Ministries staff from prior publications by Pastor Chuck.