Grandparents can be the sugar and spice and everything nice in a child’s life. Mine certainly were. A grandparent’s presence-or absence-is crucial, especially these days, when we see more and more grandparents raising grandchildren. How would you describe your relationship with your grandparents?

One of my earliest recollections is sitting with my grandmother on her front porch swing, in the days before we had screens to swipe or video games to entertain us. Grandma would say, “Climb on up here. Let’s sit awhile.” We waved at neighbors or watched the kids on the block play across the street. And we invented games.

Playing “I spy with my little eyes”, rhyming games, and perhaps a little “storytelling make-believe” filled lazy afternoons. On that swing, I learned my left hand from my right hand. I learned that pumping my legs would make the swing go higher. And I learned to count, thanks to the links on the chain holding that swing in the air. Grandma made learning a pleasure. Always.

And we always sang. I stood by her side and belted out a chorus of whatever song we chose. In those moments, life was a stage, and I was the star of the show. The next-door neighbor, Mrs. Dean, would always get a chuckle out of my crescendo. No one slept while I sang.

Stuart Hamblen wrote It Is No Secret What God Can Do, the first song I remember hearing Grandma sing. Her head tilted upward as if she were singing to the angels, and her soft-spoken voice invited me to linger on each word and note. Then the chorus rang out her message:

“It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others He’ll do for you. With arms wide open, He’ll pardon you. It is no secret what God can do.”

Grandma wanted me—and you—to know her Jesus and His promises. Are there role models in your life like my grandma, who joyfully showed a love for Jesus and passed that legacy down to you? Do you see yourself as a role model to others who need to know what God has done for you?

Heavenly Father, help us be an encouragement to someone today. Show us ways that we can sing out the Good News of Your love. Amen.