My grandfather was old-school. (I mean that in a good way.) He was a grandfather who executed his role the same way as most grandfathers have done throughout history. He taught us very practical things like how to tell the difference between a walnut and a chestnut, how to collect them in a basket, and how to take them home so that an adult could turn them into an edible delight. Likewise, we learned the names of trees from our grandfather because different types of wood were used to build a home than were used to make a chair. He explained why beavers built dams and how they did it. Grandpa was an educator and historian, especially once he was no longer able to work. His role with newborns and infants was minor – he was last on the list to change diapers.
My grandfather didn’t do much to pass on his faith. To his way of thinking, that was to be done by the church.
I have never seen a movie that depicts a grandfather in the role of passing on his faith. Maybe you have, I haven’t seen them all. Most films or television programs, if they show grandparents (usually grandmothers) having faith, it is a fusty old faith that reached its expiry date years ago.
I asked AI for an example of movies that showed grandfathers with faith. It thought and thought and then, finally, it gave me a movie starring Billy Graham as Billy Graham in his everyday life. It came up with several others; two were about Polycarp being martyred as an old man and the last one was a Christian movie, The Grandfathers, about a multigenerational Christian ministry. MGM, Columbia and Paramount clearly don’t consider a grandfather’s faith as much of a topic.
In my experience, I only know of a few movies that show a grandfather in a good light. One of them, The Princess Bride, is the only adventure-comedy I have in my top ten movies! Second Hand Lions is a story about the impact of two unusual uncles on their nephew’s life. (Another common trope in regard to older men: they can’t be men who are normal.)
So, Grandpa, that is why we need men who set an example in the real world; men who stand in virtue, who are strong in faith, and who are strategic in action. Be a grandfather who thinks differently, prays purposefully and acts strategically in the lives of your grandchildren!
If you are going to do grandparenting, do it grandly!
Mike Shaughnessy is the founder of Grandly, uncle of nine and grand-uncle of 14. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.