by Dr. Ken Canfield
My I often hear the same lament from grandmothers: I wish I lived closer to my grandchildren.
I get it. I’ve watched the incredible, life-changing bond that forms and the reciprocal benefits that come when a grandmother and grandchild connect — the laughter, the quiet encouragement, the steady presence. It’s a relational win-win. Yet physical distance is a reality for many grandparents.
In our recent survey, 38% of the grandmothers we asked said they live more than 100 miles from any of their grandchildren. So how do long-distance grandmothers communicate their heartfelt hopes and their love when they’re far away? They wait. They pray. They plan.
And when opportunities for visits come, they make them count.
Take Alice. She lived over 100 miles from her grandsons, but she treasured every chance to be with them and would devote time to planning and preparing to give her best whenever a visit was coming. A woman of deep faith, Alice often prayed about ways she could be an encourager for her grandsons’ spiritual growth.
When the parents called and asked if she could come and care for the boys while they were away, she was elated. She would probably have opportunities to explore the importance of faith with her grandsons.
Before she left, Alice came up with a simple plan: each evening during her week with them she would read a short story from a children’s Bible — one with pictures to help them visualize the story — and that became part of their bedtime routine. She didn’t preach; she simply read, prayed, and lived out her faith in her ordinary conversations and small acts of care.
Alice prayed and planted seeds of Scripture, and two years later one of those grandsons, now a fifth grader, asked his parents, “Can our family start attending church?” They said yes.
During the years that followed, his interest grew; he made a commitment to follow Jesus, a milestone in his spiritual development. He later chose to attend Bible school as part of his education. Providentially the other grandmother was of a similar mindset, and when she heard about her grandson’s commitment to Jesus and his eagerness to proclaim it, she was moved to tears.
Now, with two grandmothers praying, what would happen?
The young man earned two faith-related degrees, married, and started a family of his own. When his first daughter was born, his wife suggested that they give the baby the middle name Alice — a nod of honor to the grandmother whose quiet faith had helped to shape his life. Presence, prayer and providence: together they moved a heart.
Grandmothers, be encouraged! (And grandfathers, you will have ways to apply these truths and principles, too.)
Your influence can be a powerful force in your grandkids’ lives, and distance does not disqualify you. With your example and the Word of God, you can kindle a revival in your extended family — one child at a time. He who put the concern in your heart for your grandchildren’s future will hear your prayers and open doors for you to plant seeds of faith. How and when those seeds will sprout is in His hands. Your role is simple but sacred: pray, plan, and then be ready to use your grandmotherly authority to share God’s truth. Then trust Him to build an eternal foundation in the next generations.
Practical ways to have a meaningful influence, from near or far:
• Pray intentionally. Name your grandchildren in prayer each day and pray for specific needs — their friendships, their teachers, their protection, and their deep questions.
• Plan visits with purpose. When you are able to be with them, make room for simple spiritual rhythms: read a short Bible story, pray at mealtimes, or invite a conversation about what matters most.
• Use technology to stay present. A regular video call to read a story, pray together, or celebrate small victories keeps the relationship warm between visits.
You can leave a strong spiritual legacy through your prayers, presence, and persistence. Start small, trust the Lord, and watch what He does through a grandmother’s faithful heart.
What simple spiritual habits have you started with your grandkids — or which ones do you plan to start? Leave comments and ideas for other grandparents on our Facebook page here.
