Cindy Lilly is a grandmother who realized she needed to “think differently, pray specifically, and act strategically” before she ever heard of Grandly.
I first became a grandmother 27 years ago. My husband and I have been very intentional about spending time with our grandchildren. We have been active grandparents, taking our grandchildren on many mission trips.
As our grandchildren have grown and changed and we ourselves have aged, going on mission trips is not always feasible. I realized I needed a different approach. I prayed specifically for a new way to connect with one of our teenage grandsons. The thought came to me that teenage boys like to eat! Yes, but going out to restaurants is expensive and engaging in meaningful conversation can be difficult in a public place.
One day, I asked this particular grandson if he would like to come over to our house and learn how to make one of his favorite foods. He answered, “Yes, Gramma, I enjoy eating crepes and would love to learn how to make them.” As we cooked and worked side by side, we had a natural and enjoyable time of relating. I showed him some tips for making crepes while we talked about his studies and basketball. Then we enjoyed the “fruit of our labor” and had more conversation over dinner. This one-on-one time of togetherness was very special for both of us.
When his younger brother heard about what we did and had tasted some of his brother’s homemade crepes, he came to me and said he wanted to learn to make lasagna. “Same song, second verse!” I had another blessed time of learning with him, engaging in great conversation, and enjoying a meal of lasagna together. Now, the older brother wants to make enchiladas!
I had asked the Lord for guidance and I found a very practical way to build a relationship with my grandsons. They benefit by growing in confidence, learning to cook, and building a natural relationship with grandma.
With my granddaughters, I needed a different approach. I like to paint and draw. Most of my granddaughters like art so it is easy for me to have them over to spend time painting and to have similar experiences of growing closer with them as I have had with my grandsons.
I encourage grandparents to pray for ideas to build relationships and to think of simple ways to spend quality time with your grandchildren. One of the best ways to do this is to consider including your grandchildren in activities you already like to do!
“For the LORD gives WISDOM; and from his mouth come KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING; He stores up sound WISDOM for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,”
Proverbs 2:6-7
This article The Same (Not Old) New Song, A Grandly Reflection, by Cindy Lilly, is excerpted from Grandly, Copyright © 2025 -2026 Grandly Missions, Inc.
Top image credit: Duo photos of grandparents spending quality time with grandchildren, from Bigstock.com, stock photo IDs: 158033348 and 215933506. Used with permission.
Cindy Lilly lives in Plymouth, Minnesota, USA with her husband, Jim. They are the grandparents of 18, nine boys and nine girls.