Shaping Grandkids Who'll Remember You

Ever wonder if you'll be remembered? Not just as "Grandma" or "Grandad" who gave good presents, but as someone who actually shaped lives, who passed on something worth catching?

In this honest conversation, Dave Connolly unpacks the story of Lois - an ordinary grandmother whose sincere faith rippled through three generations so powerfully that Paul wrote about it in 2 Timothy. This wasn't a perfect family with everything sorted. Eunice married outside the faith, Timothy's father was absent, and the household faced real complexities. Yet somehow, a grandmother's authentic walk with God changed everything.

Dave shares vulnerable stories including his own parenting regrets, weekly rhythms with his five grandchildren, and the powerful impact of telling 'miracle stories' about God's provision. You'll discover why sincere faith matters more than perfect parenting, how to shape grandchildren without controlling them, and practical ways to leave a legacy that outlasts you.

Journey with us through:

• [06:00] Lois, Eunice, Timothy: Three generations of sincere faith
• [12:00] What made Lois's influence last across generations
• [20:00] Legacy and intentional investment in grandchildren
• [38:00] Finding grace despite parenting failures
• [48:00] Regrets about not asking grandparents more questions
• [54:00] Why writing your story matters

[08:00] Sincere Faith That Carries You Through

Dave unpacks what Paul meant when he described Lois's "sincere faith" in 2 Timothy 1:5. This wasn't religious performance or perfect theology - it was an authentic, tested, genuine relationship with Jesus.

"Sincere faith in my experience has been the thing that carries you through life. A sincere faith. Because you're talking about a real faith, one that you have a personal saviour, personal relationship, personal walk."

What we explore:

• Why authenticity matters more than perfection in passing on faith
• How Lois influenced despite her daughter's choices
• The difference between religious routine and genuine relationship
• What it means for faith to "live" in someone

Key takeaway: Sincere faith isn't inherited like property - it's caught through relationship and example.

[16:00] Second Chances as Grandparents

With refreshing honesty, Dave shares how being a grandparent feels like getting a second go at things you feel you did poorly as a parent.

"If I said to men, write down all the things you do really well as a dad, you could give them a large stamp and there'd still be space on it. But if I said what you do really poorly, you could give them a roll of wallpaper."

Real talk about:

• Carrying guilt about past parenting failures
• Why grandchildren are God's blessing, not replacements
• How finding grace changes everything
• The privilege of investing in the next generation

Key takeaway: Don't concentrate on your failures - address them, ask God to strengthen you, and move forward with grace.

[22:00] Miracle Stories and Tea Time Traditions

Dave shares how he and his wife Julie deliberately tell their grandchildren what they call "miracle stories" - real encounters with God's faithfulness over the years.

"They love these stories. They want to know more and more and more. Not fairy tales or Joe Bloggs' story, but things, God encounters that Julie and I have had with God over the years."

Practical ideas:

• Weekly "one good, one bad" at tea time to create space for prayer
• Telling the same stories repeatedly - children need repetition
• Creating simple traditions like throwing stones in water
• Letting grandchildren experience joy without overthinking safety

Key takeaway: Share your real stories of God's provision - these give grandchildren a framework for understanding their own lives when challenges come.

[38:00] Finding Grace Despite Broken Beginnings

Dave vulnerably shares his own story of growing up with absent parents, sofa-surfing from a young age, and how becoming a Christian changed everything.

"As I became a Christian, somehow in God, I found so much more grace for them. Without finding that grace, I don't believe we could have been part of leading them to the Lord."

Hope for:

• Those carrying wounds from imperfect parents or grandparents
• Understanding that honouring doesn't mean ignoring harm
• How God's grace enables restoration
• Breaking cycles through authentic faith

Key takeaway: Even imperfect, broken people can pass on sincere faith when they encounter God's transforming grace.

[48:00] Regrets We All Carry

The conversation turned to a universal regret - not asking grandparents more questions whilst we had the chance.

"If I could go back in time and do something different, what would you do? I'd talk to my Nan and just get her stories from her." - Matt Edmundson

For everyone:

• Why we didn't ask when we were younger
• The importance of recording stories now
• How Sharon's grandmother wrote "Lost and Found" about her life
• Making time to honour grandparents whilst you still can

Key takeaway: Don't wait. If you still have grandparents, ask the questions now. If you are a grandparent, write your story - even if just for your grandchildren.

[50:00] Different Grandparents, Same Love

Jan shares how her mum and mother-in-law bring completely different gifts to grandparenting - one more cuddly, the other doing baking and historical trips. Both create brilliant memories.

"They're unique. Those grandparents aren't in competition. We just want to love and love freely." - Dave Connolly

Wisdom about:

• Why comparison kills joy in grandparenting
• How Dave works alongside his daughter's father-in-law (who isn't a Christian)
• Teaching grandchildren through bonfire night traditions
• Complementing rather than competing with other grandparents

Key takeaway: Your unique contribution matters without diminishing what other grandparents bring.

Hello and welcome to Crowd Church coming to you live

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from Liverpool this Sunday night.

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My name is Matt Edmundson, and whether

this is your first time or whether

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you've been part of our journey since the

beginning, it's brilliant to be with you.

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We are a community of people figuring

out what it means to follow Jesus.

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In real life, not the polished,

perfect version, but you know, the

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messy, genuine, brilliant reality of

this whole thing called Christianity.

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So let me give you a little

roadmap of what's gonna be

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happening over the next hour.

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We'll have a talk, lasts about 20

minutes looking at the topic of

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relationships, which is the section of

our series becoming whole, that we are

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looking at exploring how Christ makes

us whole across every domain of life.

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After the talk, we've

got conversation streets.

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Oh yes.

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This is where we dig into what

you've just heard, and you get

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to be part of that discussion.

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So if you're with us live, jump into

the comments, share your questions,

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your thoughts, and your stories.

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And of course, if you are watching on

Catchup or listening to the podcast, then

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thanks for being part of the Crowd too.

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Dave Connolly: Right?

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Let's meet your hosts

and let's get started.

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Two.

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Matt Edmundson: Good evening.

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Welcome to Crowd Church.

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My name is Matt.

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Great to be with you on

this fine November evening.

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Mm-hmm.

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Uh, a very warm welcome to you.

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If this first time with us great.

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That you are with us.

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If this is your 400th time with us mm-hmm.

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I'd love to know how you've done that.

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'cause we've only done

two 50 live streams.

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But what, whatever, uh, it's,

it's great that you are with us.

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Uh, tonight.

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I'm joined by the beautiful Jan.

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Jan.

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Say hi.

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Jan Burch: Uh, hi everyone.

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Thanks.

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Thanks for watching and listening.

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Matt Edmundson: And

also the beautiful Dave.

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Dave, say hi

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Dave Connolly: again.

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That would be handsome, I think.

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Matt Edmundson: Okay.

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Dave Connolly: Just to

position it rightly.

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Good evening everyone.

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Good to be here.

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Matt Edmundson: Gotta get it right.

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Gotta get it right.

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So welcome to you, uh,

yeah, great to be with you.

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Dave's gonna be sharing

the word of God with us.

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Uh, in just a few minutes, we're gonna

get into some great stuff, no doubt.

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From Dave.

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We're gonna jump into our whole series.

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We've been talking about becoming whole.

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We are looking specifically

at relationships.

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We're getting into some really good

stuff tonight, so make sure you grab

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your notebooks, grab your pens, write

any comments, uh, in the comments as

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we go along, any questions that you

have, and we'll try and answer them.

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Uh, after Dave's done his talk, we do

something called Conversation Street,

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which is where we try and answer your

questions if it's your first time here.

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And then after that we are

gonna meet up on Google.

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So we have a Google meets

room, uh, which Zoe.

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We'll put in the comments at some

point in the non too distant future

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or we put it in the comments.

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Awesome.

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Uh, so that's the link.

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Go Crowd Church slash meet.

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It's in the livestream.

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Comments do come and join us.

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Of course, if you're watching

this on catch up or listening

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to it on the podcast, don't come

join us 'cause we won't be there.

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Uh, but if you are, if you're

with us on the livestream, it'll

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be great to see you in there.

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Come say hi, um, and

come meet a few of us.

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And a few of the guys that watch

online, uh, and join, join in.

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Just, you know, it's always nice

to connect with people, isn't it?

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And it's always good to

have a bit of a chin wag.

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Uh, so that's what we're gonna

do, uh, at the end of the service.

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Jan Burch: Mm-hmm.

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Matt Edmundson: So, uh, anything else?

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Have I missed, Jen?

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Jan Burch: No, no.

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Just, um, yeah, just a warm welcome

to everyone and, um, over to.

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So, Dave, do you know what Dave's

talking about tonight, Matt?

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Matt Edmundson: I'm not, I'm not

even sure Dave knows what he's

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talking about tonight, so Oh, yes

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Jan Burch: I do.

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Matt Edmundson: Oh, do,

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Jan Burch: it's about being a

grandfather or grand having grandparents.

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Matt Edmundson: Yeah, grandparents.

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Jan Burch: Yeah.

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It

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Matt Edmundson: is the whole

relationship side with grandparents.

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So let's just, well, you've, you've,

you've spoiled it now anyway, sorry.

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Anyway, let's jump into it.

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The amazing handsome,

right, Reverend Dave Conley.

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Dave Connolly: Good evening folks,

or whatever time of day it is.

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You're watching this.

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You are really welcome and we all continue

in this series on relationships and,

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um, I've been tasked, um, to talk about

being a grandparent and, um, I'm sure

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we'll get into some of the personal

stuff when we get to conversation.

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Um, but we like to anchor all

that we're saying in scripture.

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And I just wanna say that, um, you know,

sometimes I was saying to the guys, um.

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As church ministers or people who speak

in church, sometimes we paint this picture

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and it's always like, it appears to be

like, you know, the ideal situation.

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Well, I wanna tell you a story,

um, um, of, you may have heard of

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Timothy and um, he had a grandma

called Louis and a mom called Eunice.

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And we're just gonna look at their

family uni and you will see it.

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Isn't this.

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Perfect family unit and um, 'cause

I think that will help us in our

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context of understanding, um,

'cause life is complex, isn't it?

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Matt Edmundson: Mm-hmm.

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Dave Connolly: If not, write a book

and I'll buy you and you can help me.

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Okay.

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Here we go then.

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So if you've got a, a bible there

with you, I love people to, um,

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either have a Bible or get it on your

phone or whatever your device is.

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And there's um, go to two

Timothy chapter one, verse five.

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That's two Timothy

chapter one, verse five.

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We're just gonna look up one

verse at this moment, and this

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is Paul writing to Timothy.

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He says this, I am reminded of

your sincere faith, which faith

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lived in your grandmother Lewis,

and in your mother, Eunice.

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And I am persuaded now lives in you.

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So can you see that thing

of legacy, you know?

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And um.

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It, it isn't like giving that as

a piece of paper or, or something.

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It's something that you receive and

you, you've learned from that person

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you've been influenced by and that

influence now lives in you personally.

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And, um, and we read, let's just

talk a little bit about, um, Lois.

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Some people call her Lewis,

some people call her Lois.

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And um, we read that

she had a sincere faith.

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A sincere faith.

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I just wanna say, um, sincere faith

in my experience has been the thing

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that carries you through life.

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A sincere faith.

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'cause you're talking about a real faith,

um, one that you have a personal savior,

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personal relationship, personal walk, and

we see, oh, that's passed on to the, to

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her daughter and then to her grandson.

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And you know, Timothy, um, he

eventually becomes Paul the Apostle.

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Uh, he writes all the books in

the New Testament or mo lots of

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the books in the New Testament.

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He becomes Paul's companion and

partner on the mission field.

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He travels with him, you know,

but Lois, he was a Christ follower

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and she had a clear and lasting

influence, as I've said on a household.

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And that means a area, the people who

came within a influence, within the

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boundaries of a, a home, a influence

as a grandma, as a friend, et cetera.

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And the influence had real true impact.

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That it didn't just stop with her

having a good life, a godly life,

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that her influence reached into

eunice's life at the daughter.

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An influenced there, even though

Eunice has to make her own choices.

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And we'll talk about them shortly.

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And then on to Timothy.

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So we need to understand that Lois

invested, sown into those lives.

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I wanna say that these people were real

people living in a real time with all

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the pressures of their day, you know?

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Um, and they had a real

faith, just like maybe you.

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They went through different

seasons of life just like us,

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but they carried a message and

that message stemmed out having

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a personal relationship with

Jesus, you know, as a grandparent.

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So, uh, if you're a grandparent,

um, let me just say this,

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um, you know, grandchildren.

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I often say to people, oh, God's

blessing to you for not killing your

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children when they were teenagers.

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I'm sure you've never had that moment,

but if you have young children,

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they do grow up and bless them.

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Um, there are times when

they're pushing the boundaries.

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So grandchildren are God's blessing to us.

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And, um.

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We may be, you know, pondering, how

do you know, how do we impact our own

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children and our own grandchildren?

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Can I just say, you know, one thing

that's really important to me, and

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I, and I love being a granddad, um,

but it's simply this, that I never

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want my kids to think that, oh, our

grandkids have taken their place.

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Jan Burch: Mm-hmm.

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Dave Connolly: They're two

completely different things.

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Mm-hmm.

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You know, but it is important that your

kids don't feel they're no longer required

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because they've given us grandchildren.

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You sometimes see this worked out on TV

programs and it's wrong, and it's not

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good for your relationship with your kids.

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You know, we have a great opportunity

as grandparents to mold shape

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and influence to help establish a

hoping God in in our grandchildren.

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Jan Burch: What's the best one?

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Dave Connolly: And hopefully it's

something that we've done with our

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children, so it's not something

that we're learning from the get.

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You know, we've all, it, it's just

something that takes on a different

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aspect Now that we're grand and we've

got grandchildren as grandmother,

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um, the life of Lois gives us, um,

real, some real powerful lessons.

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And I'll, I'll mention one or two

here, or maybe three that demonstrate

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that, uh, there are examples to us on

how to influence, you know, um, now

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influence doesn't mean control, by the

way, and, uh, it means to help shape.

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Put stuff out there, help people own it,

not don't operate in the area of command.

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I wanna say that if you don't influence

your grandchildren or and your children,

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there's a whole stack of people

here in the wings waiting to do so.

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Just turn your computer on, turn your

TV on, they're all there, and they won't

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apologize for their outrageousness.

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But if you don't take that moment.

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To share your aspect of

life, your view of life.

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There's honestly, there's a whole

stack of people who will step in.

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So don't be shy.

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An example of being, um, of having a

fame and lively faith, a passionate

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faith, you know, um, it, it isn't

so to be a secret Christian.

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We should be confident

about our work with God.

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We should be thankful.

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We should be joyful about that.

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And in Deuteronomy six, um, that's

in the Old Testament, verse five.

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It says this, love the Lord with

all your heart and with all your

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soul and with all your strength.

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It doesn't mean give him the leftovers,

it doesn't mean being a nominal believer.

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It means being sold out.

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I'm in this, I'm totally invested in this.

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That's what we're called to be as

Christians and our children need to see

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that in us and so do our grandchildren.

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You know how Paul mentions,

um, Lois in two Timothy, it

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highlights that sincere faith.

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Isn't that a wonderful thing?

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Can you imagine our kids when they're

talking to their kids saying, you know,

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nan or granddad or what they call you,

you know, they've got a real, you know,

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sincere faith, they really believe,

um, in, in God and what he is done.

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I'll tell you a little

bit more about that laser.

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Um.

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Timothy first lived with his

grandma, and then, um, we read how

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he, he's then living with his mom.

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Um, as a woman born in Jewish faith,

Lois would have some understanding of

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scripture, what it, um, what it is to

have a God who created her, what it

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was, to have a God who was present.

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She would have a sense of purpose.

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She would have a understanding

of a commitment to that.

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She would've an understanding of some

scripture that they had, and she was

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looking to the promise of the Messiah,

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and that's who she believed in

that, that Messiah who had come.

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Just an interesting

point here that Timothy.

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His father was likely to have been absent.

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And today, you know, um, we live in a dag

where we often read of absent fathers.

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So for those of you think that,

you know, the Bible's just full

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of, you know, ideal situations.

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Here we have a absent father.

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It doesn't talk about

there being a grandfather.

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And, um, there, you know, the

parts of the Jewish faith.

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Um, the Timothy's mom has married a

Greek nonbeliever, so that what can

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you, can you see the marks going up now?

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Oops.

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Oops.

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Can you mother imagine if

that was your daughter?

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You know, a husband isn't present.

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She married a nonbeliever.

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You know, that would've been a challenge.

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But, you know, Lois didn't give up.

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Lois didn't cut her out.

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She wasn't sidelined.

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Like today in society if somebody

wrongs you, you just cut 'em out.

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You close them down, you cut 'em off.

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It's like they didn't exist.

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And I know life's tough and I don't

believe for one moment, lo um,

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endorse, you know, that relationship.

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What she did, she continued

to love her daughter.

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Can you imagine if she'd

have caught her off?

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She would've LA lost the

opportunity to love her daughter

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and to love her grandson.

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I hope that makes sense to you.

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I'm just trying to show you that,

you know, the Bible isn't just full

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of ideal situations, but it's full

of an amazing God who imp inputs

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our life to give us grace, to be

graceful and gracious to people.

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Don't distance yourself.

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Don't, don't, don't have to.

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You know, there's a thing in the

way we, we just cut people off.

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They wrong us or disagree with

us, and we're told Cut them out.

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Cut them off.

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You know, the Bible

talks about restoration.

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Now listen, I know there are some

horrendous things that happen to

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people, you know, and we do have to

take people out, but in your heart,

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we're always looking for restoration.

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And it's funny, you know that we always

go to the worst possible scenario when we

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talk about restoration and forgiveness,

when everyday life is full of situations

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where we need to forgive people.

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Lois had encountered

Jesus the love of Jesus.

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She was a believer, she was a

follower and that is evidence.

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She courageously chose to stand.

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With her daughter.

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Can you imagine what the

neighbors would be saying, Joan,

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down at the shops, you know?

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But Lois had found something so

precious in the message of the gospel.

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She lived out this newfound

faith that she'd found in Jesus.

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It was active, it was real.

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You could touch it.

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It was evident.

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See, when we encounter

God, it becomes evident.

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'cause we change our attitudes

and our actions and our thinking

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and our words all start to change.

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They don't just go kaing overnight.

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It's a process and people

around us will see that.

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I mean, our daughters

and our grandchildren,

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loving God with all that we

have becomes very evident.

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We can, most of us can put

on a front for a short time,

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but Lois had her daughter and her

grandson, Timothy, living with her.

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Most of us can't keep up the act too long.

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We get undone at some point, but what

we do see over a period of time is

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the generosity and the loving kindness

of Lois and how she shows that.

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She has a true living, vibrant faith.

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She models all those things.

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All those things speak into the

brokenness of the people around her.

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Even her daughter, who by all accounts is

a single mom, Timothy as an absent dad.

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Both of those situations create a gap.

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Quite often, bitterness can fill those

gaps, but here you have a mom being

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a grandmom, being gracious and kind

and humble, and that AIDS healing.

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Okay.

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So it's all about as, as.

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Listen, we're just

ordinary people, aren't we?

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Um, as grandparents, um, most of

us, um, we've learned so much trying

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to raise our, um, our own children.

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And I know we've covered this,

but you know, if I, my experience

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has been as well, I've said to

men, can you write down all the

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things you do really well as a dad?

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You could give them a large stamp

and there'd still be space on it.

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But if I said to 'em, what you

do really poorly, you could

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give them a roll of wallpaper.

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And most of them, especially men of

my age, would feel that 'cause they

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think of what they all did wrong.

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And yes, we do make mistakes,

but if we apologize and address

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those situations, we move on.

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And I think, you know, being a grandparent

for me, um, it's like you get a second go.

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Mm.

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To address some of those things

that you feel you did so poorly on?

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Yeah, it, it, it's a real

privilege to be a grandparent.

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We can always look back and

think, what can we do better?

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And I'm sure there's

always things that we can,

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don't concentrate and

stay on your failures.

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Just address them and ask

God to strengthen you as you

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continue to love your son or your

daughter and those grandchildren.

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We are not there to critique how our

children, parents, we're there to support

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them and we're there to support them, even

if they parent very differently from us.

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We want to see.

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We wanna see God moving in our families.

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We wanna believe that God is establishing

something of his himself in us and Lois.

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Investing continually just by being with

her daughter and with her son Timothy.

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'cause you know, Timothy would've saw

how the grandma responded to the mom.

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So if, um, Lois just criticized Eunice

all the time, he would've heard that.

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But we wouldn't be saying the

things that we're saying about

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her, if that's what he'd heard.

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There's an impact that we have.

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As grandparents, I really believe

today we like to call it legacy and

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um, I believe what we sow in our

grandchildren gives us all legacy.

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I really do.

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I think it's a real, a real privilege

and I think we shouldn't be shy.

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We shouldn't be slow to influence.

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We shouldn't be slow to speak in, in, in

our family, we have a 13-year-old, two

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12 year olds and two seven year olds.

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And, um, we made a decision early

in life, um, in, in their life,

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um, that their parents, it was too

costly to put them into childcare.

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Mm.

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And the parents were going back to work,

but it was too, it was too expensive.

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So Julie and I, um, made the

decision that we would store

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childcare looking after them.

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I think it was three days

a week, then down to two.

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And we, we had the privilege of

doing that and, and it was such,

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it was really such a privilege.

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Um, um, and we were so thankful.

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But, you know, there was a cost involved

and there generally is a cost involved.

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For us, there was a financial cost,

um, and there was a time cost and there

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was an energy cost, you know, 'cause

we went, you know, in our mid twenties

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or mid thirties anymore, we were older.

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And um, and it was a real privilege.

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And now we, we still, all our

kids thankfully live here within,

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you know, probably within five

or 10 miles of where we live.

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And, and I dunno how grandparents.

371

Cope when the kids live in another

city, nevermind in another country.

372

But we have this thing, um, just

a story of talk about influence.

373

Um, with all our kids, they come

and up pick 'em up on a Wednesday.

374

We from three different schools,

four different schools I should say.

375

And, um, we come back to us and we, Ethan,

we play games and Julie bakes with them.

376

Then one of the little ones goes off

home, but us, us that we go to bed.

377

Um, ju sleeps with the other girls in

the other room and um, they have this

378

thing where they love to hear Julie

tell stories, miracle stories they

379

call them, or things that God has done.

380

Not fairy tales or Joe blogs a story,

but things that God encounters that

381

Julie and I have had with God over the

years and they are just, I, I've walked

382

down, you can see the faces and it.

383

It, it's just amazing.

384

Um, and, and, and they love these stories.

385

They wanna know more and more and more.

386

Um, also, um, we'll have a little

break from it, um, at the moment,

387

but we frequently have, it's not

got a great name, but around tea

388

time, um, we have one good, one bad.

389

And you go round and you're not allowed

to talk, um, until it's your go.

390

And you say one good thing

that's happening to you.

391

Remember the age of these kids and one.

392

One bad thing and one

good thing, you know?

393

And that gives us opportunity to

hear, and we always say, you know,

394

shall we pray about that with them?

395

Uh, and yeah, and it's,

it's really quite intense.

396

And then we go back to

throwing food at each other.

397

Um, well, not quite, um,

not due, yeah, love, cheese.

398

But, um, you know, I'm, I'm not trying

to oversize, I'm just saying, you know,

399

the reality is that we, it's simple.

400

It's simple.

401

It's not childish.

402

But it is childlike.

403

Yeah.

404

And, and it's meaningful, you know,

because I, I remember, um, one, one of

405

our grandkids talking about her best

friend who was poorly, and I'm like,

406

well, what would you like us to do?

407

And, and I remember her

saying, well, let's pray.

408

So that's what we did.

409

We didn't have to coerce it into that.

410

And, and, you know, the

grandparent thing, it's a role

411

of influence is what I'm saying.

412

Let, let me just, um, finish

off with, it's about continuing.

413

To, to walk with our

kids and our grandkids.

414

You know, we shared our lives with 'em.

415

We don't want them to carry the burden of

our life, but we wanna share it with them.

416

Um, you know, we, we, we want, we

don't wanna be hiding or putting

417

some false front on with them.

418

We want them to know that we love Jesus.

419

And, um, our kids, grandkids will

come to church with us and they,

420

they see that, um, and we want them.

421

We want them to know the reality of

having a personal savior, and, and they

422

have to come to that point themselves.

423

You know, um, Paul says

this in, in two Timothy, um,

424

chapter three, verse 13 to 15.

425

It's an encouragement, but as for you

continue, continue in what you have

426

learned and have become convinced of.

427

Wasn't that great, Ike, because

you know those from who you answer.

428

You knew.

429

You knew it was your nan,

you knew it was your mum.

430

And how from infancy you have known the

holy scriptures, which are able to make

431

you wise for salvation in Jesus Christ.

432

And if you, you're a mom or a

dad, or a grandparents, I want you

433

to know, be confident in all the

seed you have sown into your kids.

434

Regardless where your kids

may be at this moment.

435

Be confident that there'll be a,

a good harvest from that seed?

436

No, I can just, I imagine you, you know,

um, Timothy loving his nan and loving,

437

you know, um, the time that he had with

her as at the time he had with his mum.

438

But, you know, we need to invest in those.

439

We need to invest in those times.

440

Uh, my buy five grandkids

are all very different.

441

Um, like yesterday, um, the, um, the

eldest we went to see, um, Everton.

442

Now you might think that is child cruelty,

but um, we won so it wasn't too bad.

443

Um, but some of the

others wouldn't want that.

444

So don't force them to

do something you want.

445

You know, find out what it is they like.

446

Our two younger ones love

being together, you know?

447

Um, preschool, they were

together most of the week.

448

They just love being together so much.

449

So, um, a girl and a boy, the

little girl had to have the

450

same clothes as the little boy.

451

I mean, coats, you know, and the

same wellies and the same hats.

452

They just love being together,

you know, and, and, and we

453

just love to celebrate that.

454

No, you see, you can celebrate it or you

can try and change everything, or you can

455

try and, um, make every, each of these

individuals conform into what you want.

456

Rather than just enjoying them.

457

Yeah.

458

And then on next two up, the two 12 year

olds, we have great memories of us running

459

across a bridge down at Albert Dock.

460

And um, I think Julie had one of them

and I had the other one and we're

461

a little bit competitive and one of

them actually shouted, he's dragging

462

me, you know, so that became a bit

of a tagline for about 10 years.

463

And, you know, and it's, it's not aim.

464

It's not a mocking thing,

it's a term of endearment,

465

Matt Edmundson: mocking.

466

Dave Connolly: So when we talk

about, we're talk about something

467

that we enjoyed, it's a love thing.

468

And you know, um, there's a culture

that we'll try and overcome your

469

culture that try and overcome

your standards and your the things

470

that are precious to your family.

471

And I wanna encourage you, moms.

472

Dads, grandparents, tell your

grandkids all the amazing things

473

that God has done in your life.

474

Dare to do that.

475

So faith into them.

476

Yeah.

477

Talk to them.

478

Tell them about things that you're praying

for and how God has come and moved in.

479

You know, let's have that, um, type

of, um, faith that those type of

480

actions that Eunice had, you know,

where said she had a sincere faith.

481

I want that set of me.

482

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

483

Dave Connolly: You know, when, when

you know when if, if, if I'm gone or

484

my grandkids are growing up, I want

them to remember me as that, that.

485

You know, Gangan had a real sincere faith.

486

He loved Jesus.

487

That was the most important thing to him.

488

Not that they aren't important,

they are more important because

489

of my sincere love of God.

490

So I hope there's something in that talk

that you can connect with God bless.

491

Matt Edmundson: Wonderful.

492

What a great talk.

493

Uh, thanks Dave.

494

We're gonna get into some of

the things that Dave says.

495

If you've got any questions, any thoughts,

any comments, any stories, uh, put them

496

in the comments below, especially if

you've got any comments or thoughts or

497

stories about your own grandparents.

498

Um, I would love that.

499

Or if you, if you're a

grandparent yourself, tell

500

stories about your grandkids.

501

Mm-hmm.

502

We're gonna come onto that in just

a second, but before we do, um.

503

Uh, Dave, as you were talking, I was

kind of reminded my grandparents,

504

I'm sure your grandparents as

well were involved in the war.

505

They were right.

506

Uh, the World War II today in

the UK is Remembrance Sunday

507

if you're outside of the uk.

508

Um, what do they call it in the States?

509

Uh, Memorial Day, isn It Memorial Day is

I think what they call it in the States.

510

It's basically just a day to

remember those that have gone into

511

war and fought for our freedoms.

512

Mm-hmm.

513

Um, it's not a.

514

That it's not a political thing,

it's just a, a time just to reflect.

515

And my, my grandparents fought in

the Great War and well in World War

516

ii, not necessarily the Great War.

517

Um, my grandparents fought there, Sharon,

my wife, her grandparents were in that.

518

Were your grandparents

involved in the war?

519

Dave Connolly: Yeah.

520

Yeah, absolutely.

521

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

522

Dave Connolly: Yeah.

523

Matt Edmundson: Um, and yours?

524

Jan Burch: Yeah.

525

My, my grand one grandfather

was, yeah, he's in the Navy.

526

Yeah.

527

Royal Navy.

528

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

529

Really interesting.

530

And, um.

531

Sharon, my wife, I remember we

sat down Wong and talked with

532

him before he passed away.

533

Sharon really wanted to understand

his story more, which I want,

534

we're gonna get into a little bit.

535

Um, but he was there in D-Day.

536

Dave Connolly: Mm-hmm.

537

Matt Edmundson: You know, and dunk Kirk

and, um, the evacuation of dunk Kirk,

538

he was involved with that and he was

one of the sailors on the beach waiting.

539

Uh, one of the sailors, one of

the army guys on the beach, he

540

was driving a, a munitions wagon.

541

He got the order just

to leave it and just.

542

Get to the beach as quickly as he could.

543

Um, and it was at this point actually

Hitler, for whatever reason, did

544

not press his advantage where he

could have won the war but didn't.

545

Uh, interestingly, there was a national

day of Prayer called by the king on

546

this day as well, which is, it's not

a coincidence in my mind to be found.

547

You know, those two things

kind of go together.

548

Um.

549

And we should have, the ally should

have lost the war that day but didn't,

550

and, and God was very gracious with us.

551

Um, and so maybe you still have

family members or maybe you have

552

stories of family members that

you remember fought in the war.

553

Maybe actually you don't.

554

And it's like, why are we still talking

555

Either way.

556

Um, I think it's just right just to take

some time and just to say thank you, uh,

557

for all these men and women that fought

for the freedom in which we now live.

558

Um, we wanted to do

that as a church, right?

559

Dave Connolly: It's important for

us to remember even today, the men

560

and women who are serving, you know,

around the world, um, and who were

561

losing their lives for our freedom.

562

Mm-hmm.

563

Which I think we take really.

564

Lightly really.

565

Um, and all these, you know, the

conflicts, whether it was four

566

ones, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Iran,

you know, men and women's store.

567

Yeah.

568

You know, losing their lives for our

freedom, for the freedom of other

569

people, and yet we forget so easily.

570

Yeah, so quickly.

571

Matt Edmundson: Yeah, we do, we do.

572

And of course there's a lot of

wars going on at the moment.

573

Like you say, there's the, obviously

the Ukraine, Russia war course, there's

574

Israel guys, there's, oh, there's

the Christians being persecuted.

575

I mean, there's all

kinds of things going on.

576

Um, not to pick out one

over the other, but um.

577

War is horrific.

578

And the men and women who lay

their down life down in, in war,

579

we should be grateful for those.

580

Mm-hmm.

581

Um, but there will become, there will

come a day where there is no more war.

582

Um, and this is one of the things

I'm looking forward to, um, in,

583

you know, in eternity is there's no

more war, there's no more bloodshed.

584

Um, yeah.

585

Jan Burch: And.

586

Matt Edmundson: But I'm grateful

for the people that have done that.

587

So, remembrance Sunday, uh, I think

we should probably pray and then we'll

588

crack on with Conversation Street.

589

So, Lord, thank you for, uh, the men

and women who have gone before us.

590

Thank you for all of those

that gave their lives.

591

Dave Connolly: Mm-hmm.

592

Matt Edmundson: Lord.

593

Dave Connolly: Yeah,

594

Matt Edmundson: we don't always get it.

595

We don't get the conflict.

596

We don't always understand

who's right or wrong,

597

but Lord, we know that there's.

598

The sacrifice made by men and women to

try and keep the freedoms that we have.

599

And we remember those today, and

we thank you for all of them,

600

for all of those lives, our men.

601

Jan Burch: Amen.

602

Matt Edmundson: Okay, so,

um, grandparents, now there's

603

two ways to think about Dave,

what you were talking about.

604

Number one, you are a grandparent,

which is why I was really keen

605

you did the talk, which is great.

606

It's much better you do it than me, right?

607

Because I, I'm not a grandparent yet, yet.

608

I just wanna point that out.

609

Jan Burch: Hurry.

610

Are you?

611

Oh, you,

612

Matt Edmundson: I'm in.

613

Like, I'm really looking forward to

having grand babies, but just not yet.

614

Yeah.

615

And

616

Dave Connolly: no pressure of

617

Matt Edmundson: Yeah, my daughter's

on the, um, and uh, obviously there's

618

also the point of view as someone

who has had grandparents, right?

619

All my grandparents have passed away.

620

Um, and so I thought it'd be great to

think about it from, from both sides.

621

So let's start from the, the

grandparent side of things.

622

I love what you were picking out on.

623

One of the phrases that sort of

spring to my mind as you was talking

624

is as Christians we should think

in generations and not years.

625

Absolutely.

626

And the Bible, there's always this

thing isn't there with generations like.

627

God was the God of Abraham, Isaac,

and Jacob, and he referred to

628

these sort of three generations

in Proverbs, I think it is.

629

It says A good man leaves an

inheritance for his children's children.

630

Right?

631

Um.

632

And I think again in Deuteronomy

it says, you know, fear the Lord

633

so that your children and that your

grandchildren will also fear the, there

634

seems to be this thing about generation

of three isn't there in scripture.

635

And, and thinking about that and actually

being the defendant and the guardian,

636

I suppose, of a family unit, both as

a parent but also as a grandparent,

637

I think is pretty significant.

638

Yeah,

639

Dave Connolly: and I think, I

mean, I'm just, you know, with

640

cancel culture that threatens that.

641

You know, because you just cut people out

and, um, I think there's so much that we,

642

that, you know, we need to understand,

you know, the, the Hebrew culture, they,

643

they talked about the family, you know,

and, um, and, and they would, they.

644

It's just the way they communicated their

history and, and, and it's fantastic,

645

you know, and you know, I grew up,

um, and we had an extended family,

646

you know, uncle Fred, he wasn't really

your Uncle Fred, he just, your dad

647

borrowed a drill from him type of thing.

648

So both family was, seemed

to be more important.

649

Yeah.

650

Yeah.

651

Where today because of can cancel culture,

if mom or dad says something you don't

652

like, you are encouraged to cut them out.

653

Cut them off.

654

Um, now I'm just talking about, you

know, they have a different beliefs.

655

You know, they vote differently

than you, or they have a

656

different opinion on something.

657

You are encouraged to cut them off.

658

And sadly, I would've to say there's

an increasing, um, I, I've experienced

659

an increase in hearing of what I,

I'll call so-called professional

660

counselors, encouraging that.

661

Now I'm not talking about

abusive relationships.

662

Okay.

663

Yeah.

664

And it isn't abuse.

665

If I don't agree with you.

666

Matt Edmundson: Yeah, that's very true.

667

Yeah.

668

Dave Connolly: You know, we're, we're,

we're being told it is, and it isn't,

669

you know, we should be able to respect,

I should be able to respect somebody

670

else's point of view and, and be

free to disagree with it, you know?

671

So, um, I think there is a

threat to the generational thing.

672

Um, if we had council culture,

we need to honor, you know, I'll

673

show up in a minute, but you know.

674

I grew up with an absent

mom and dad, you know?

675

Um.

676

I just only goki, you know, we lived

in terrace streets and, um, I sold what

677

he called sofa surf, you know, from

a very, very early age into my teen.

678

I didn't have any real, you know,

family, you know, to, to talk of.

679

But I, I, I, I, I've learned that

my, I believe my mom and dad thought

680

that they were doing the best.

681

Yeah.

682

If they knew what was happening to me,

I think they would've killed somebody.

683

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

684

Dave Connolly: And, um.

685

But, you know, broken people

and dysfunctional people,

686

they didn't know the Lord.

687

You know, you can only give what you

have, you know, and they, they weren't

688

able to give it, give me anything near.

689

But you know what, um, as I became a

Christian, somehow in God, I was found.

690

So much more grace for them.

691

And, and it, you know, I really

believe it's quite life changing

692

for me and um, and we are privilege

of leading them to the Lord.

693

Mm-hmm.

694

And without finding that grace, I don't

believe we could have been part of that.

695

Yeah.

696

You know?

697

'cause we would, I would've

still been two hairs so lovely.

698

You know, by.

699

Matt Edmundson: That's powerful, man.

700

Yeah, that's really powerful.

701

Jan Burch: That, that's really special.

702

Um, I was, I was just reminded about

the scripture that says God puts

703

the, the lonely and family, families,

and, um, whether that is your natural

704

biological family or whether it's

a different family, but we're not

705

ever meant to be on our own in life.

706

No.

707

Um, you know, some people are proud of

the fact that they say that they don't

708

need people, they don't need anyone

or, or I, you know, I've got rid of

709

people that cause me trouble or pain.

710

Um, but I, I just really think it's very

evident, isn't it, in the Bible that.

711

God, God puts us in family.

712

Yeah.

713

Um, and I think it's really precious.

714

I, I loved what you said Dave, about,

um, almost like protecting what we've got

715

and, you know, the world is so quick to.

716

Get rid of or, or destroy

some of those relationships.

717

And we, we've got to be

on our guard for that.

718

And, um, and I just loved all this, what

you said about what you do with your

719

grandchildren and, you know, I just think

you've probably a, a gorgeous granddad.

720

Dave Connolly: Mean we

are not perfect, you know?

721

No, probably.

722

Jan Burch: Why aren't you, Dave?

723

Dave Connolly: Um,

724

Jan Burch: you've had, you've had years of

725

Dave Connolly: turn me back.

726

But, you know, it's, it's,

it, it's, it's such a great

727

opportunity, you know, I mean, one.

728

The last two, you know,

before they went to school.

729

Um, you know, you get to, you're

getting older, you know, you start off

730

and then some mill who's 13 and the

two younger ones out there, seven, but

731

you know, around just before they go,

went through to school on a Friday.

732

It was like the four minutes

late picking them up.

733

And it wasn't 'cause we didn't

love them, we were just exhausted.

734

I mean, it had them for three days

and we had to say, if we didn't

735

get dressed immediately and go out.

736

We were going to bed.

737

Yeah, because you so tired.

738

So there is a cost, you know,

in it, but there should be.

739

Matt Edmundson: Yeah,

740

Jan Burch: yeah.

741

Matt Edmundson: And it's a cost

you're willing to pay, right?

742

Dave Connolly: Yeah.

743

Matt Edmundson: In a

744

Dave Connolly: heartbeat.

745

But, but, you know, it, the, the, the,

the, you know, as I said, you know,

746

for us, you know, there's a financial

cost 'cause no due, couldn't work.

747

And, um.

748

And we were happy to do that.

749

And, you know, you, you lose three

days where you could be doing such and

750

such and you know, you're not, you're

too tired to do anything that evening.

751

Yeah.

752

And, and I think you just have to be

realistic and say it's for a season and

753

we see photos come up on our time Cliff.

754

You know, we don't, it's not

that I hate Facebook or anything.

755

Well, you know, when, when, when they,

they come up, you know, and, and, and

756

we had actually moved to ca there was

one the other day, one of the little

757

ones where she bought three mm-hmm.

758

In Speak Hall and jump.

759

It's great with your grandkids.

760

They do all the things you

wouldn't allow your kids to.

761

My kids say you would've

killed us all two.

762

Picture these two little ones, they

must have been three and a half

763

or before in Speak Hall with the

rain suits on with a shower proof.

764

Go jump into this water.

765

Honestly, lying down in it, you know?

766

And, and me and Julie are really proud.

767

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

768

Dave Connolly: You know, watching

it, you know, and our kids like.

769

Yeah, you've killed us.

770

I'm like, yeah, we probably, we

probably wouldn't have been able to, um,

771

afford the, um, the, the shower suit,

nevermind, you know, or the wellies.

772

Matt Edmundson: That's an

interesting point though, isn't it?

773

Because generations, I think there's

the, when the Bible talks about

774

obviously leaving an inheritance for

your children's children, there is

775

the spiritual inheritance, the legacy,

but there's also, there's wealth.

776

Right.

777

And wealth changes massively, I

think from generation to generation.

778

Mm-hmm.

779

The wealth that I have grow that I

grew up with is very different to

780

what my kids have grown up with.

781

Yeah's True.

782

And that's not because I've got a

better job, it's just because more

783

stuff is just readily available.

784

Mm-hmm.

785

Right.

786

Um, and so it is

interesting, you know, how.

787

We didn't do that when

you were growing up.

788

'cause that didn't exist or

we didn't have the money.

789

No.

790

You're

791

Dave Connolly: too busy.

792

Matt Edmundson: Yeah,

793

Jan Burch: I think travel.

794

Um, I think when I look back to my

childhood and my parents' childhood, we

795

definitely travel a lot more, don't we?

796

As a family.

797

Yeah.

798

Um, now, so greater opportunities

for our children and their children.

799

You know, my dad, you know, was 40 when

he first went to Spain, whereas, you

800

know, our children have been going abroad

since they were Kneehigh, you know?

801

Yeah.

802

Yeah.

803

So, um, yeah, I think that's true.

804

Yeah.

805

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

806

Dave Connolly: I mean, I, I

know Julie took him one of our.

807

She's 12 now.

808

Um, on a mission trip into Holland,

it was like a, it was like a,

809

um, pastoral mission thing.

810

Jan Burch: Yeah.

811

Brilliant.

812

Dave Connolly: And the couple, they

had a young girl that age, you know,

813

and I think, I think I can't wait

to take, um, needs, gotta move on.

814

Um, you know, mill big girls,

um, you know, on a mission

815

trip somewhere, you know?

816

Yeah.

817

Fantastic.

818

Um, because there's something

special about doing together.

819

Matt Edmundson: Definitely.

820

There is Absolutely.

821

In the comments.

822

Um.

823

Louise put about her granddad, who's no

longer with us, uh, was also in the war.

824

And I think that's a common thing

actually for a certain generation.

825

Our grandparents were still in the war.

826

Uh, Ellis wrote, put my teeth back in.

827

Glad to see grandparents get

in the love they deserve.

828

Uh, lived with mine since I was six.

829

Oh, wow.

830

And Heather wrote, um, I don't

use this term lightly, but.

831

Uh, they, her grandparents were

angels in human form and got

832

her through her younger life.

833

Um, I want to be every bit as good as

they are when any grandkids come my way.

834

Jan Burch: Amen.

835

Yeah.

836

Dave Connolly: You know what,

837

Jan Burch: me too.

838

Dave Connolly: This is all about

legacy when we talk about our

839

grandparents, um, you know, um, and

just honor them and culture today.

840

I'm not, I'm not trying

to be a grumpy old man.

841

I just feel that it's in

contention to scripture.

842

Scripture talks about honoring, you

know, and, um, you know, some of, some

843

of these grandparents, um, who were in

the war, for instance, they saw things

844

and, and, and people in the armed

forces, like they're seeing things that.

845

People should not see.

846

Yeah.

847

Experience things as young men, you know?

848

And um, you know, so when they come

home from war, of course that's

849

gonna have an impact on the family.

850

Mm-hmm.

851

Of course that's gonna have an

impact on those grandchildren.

852

Um, and, but you know, it's, it's great to

hear you talk about, you know, you want to

853

be like your grandparents, but you know.

854

They will have learned, um, whether it

was your mom or your dad's grandparent,

855

you know, um, I bet you if you spoke

to them, they would say they learnt

856

a lot by being a parent and that's

why they were such good grandparents.

857

Yeah, yeah.

858

You know, 'cause um, when my kids

say, dad, you would've killed us.

859

They don't say it anymore.

860

Um, and, and, and my

response is simply this.

861

That's because, um, oh, we had three

kids all very close to each other.

862

Mm-hmm.

863

And, um.

864

And, and I say to them, that's

because I was uptight and grumpy.

865

And rather than just enjoy it, I

was trying to learn how to be a dad.

866

Jan Burch: It's a different

stage of your life.

867

Yeah.

868

Dave, so you were working

869

Dave Connolly: Yeah.

870

Jan Burch: Full time.

871

You know, and Yeah.

872

Yeah.

873

That, that's the way it is, isn't it?

874

It's, yeah.

875

You didn't love them less?

876

Dave Connolly: No.

877

But don't, you know, don't

this, you know, I, I.

878

Honor people.

879

Mm.

880

Honor, you know, honor them

whilst you've got them.

881

'cause

882

Jan Burch: Oh yeah.

883

Dave Connolly: You know what

the, there, there comes a

884

time when you don't have them.

885

Jan Burch: Yeah.

886

Dave Connolly: And, um, you,

whether they, they were good, bad

887

or indifferent parents, you know,

I would encourage you to find

888

something just to appreciate them on.

889

Jan Burch: Absolutely.

890

Dave Connolly: Because once

that's gone, it's gone.

891

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

892

Dave Connolly: And, and, you

know, you will, you will.

893

Be sorry that you didn't Mm.

894

You know,

895

Matt Edmundson: I think I'd, if I, if I

put my grandson hat on and think about my

896

grandparents, um, I didn't know two of my

grandparents had died before I was born.

897

One of my, my granddads, he

died when I was really young.

898

I have like one memory of him.

899

And then my mum's mum, she passed

away, um, a few years ago before,

900

well, quite a few years ago now.

901

Um, and.

902

So I grew up really with

a, just a grandmother.

903

And one of the things that I didn't

do as a teenager, which I regret doing

904

now, not doing now, which is what Sharon

did with her grandparents, was to sit

905

'em down and go, tell me your stories.

906

Dave Connolly: Absolutely.

907

Matt Edmundson: Because when I

was a teenager, I could care less.

908

Yeah, yeah.

909

Right.

910

I'm, I'm playing football or I'm

watching Dallas, or whatever it is

911

we did back then in the eighties.

912

Do you know what I mean?

913

Um, and I, I regret not.

914

Not hearing their stories.

915

Jan Burch: Yeah, yeah.

916

Matt Edmundson: Um, and I, and I, I

think if I could go back into, you

917

know, if you can go back in time and do

something different, what would you do?

918

I, I'd talk to my grandma and

just get her stories from her.

919

Jan Burch: Yeah.

920

Dave Connolly: And they have got

stories and they're not fictional,

921

you know, they're real life stories,

so they might be a little bit, you

922

know, not, not very pretty, and maybe

not even pc, but it's their story.

923

And, you know, I'd encourage you

to listen to that if you, you know.

924

If you have grandparents, I'd really

encourage you to look at your diary and to

925

say how often you're seeing them because

there will come a time, you know, Nan,

926

I'll come round and see you, granddad.

927

I'll come and see you.

928

And life being, life you don't.

929

Hmm.

930

So all those planned things

seldom don't wanna happen.

931

Matt Edmundson: Mm-hmm.

932

Dave Connolly: And basically what

we're saying is that, you know,

933

as importance as these other

things, you're no longer required.

934

And I, I can, that just

makes me feel so sad.

935

Matt Edmundson: Mm-hmm.

936

Dave Connolly: You know that,

especially where, where.

937

Grandparents have had a, a

significant impact on you.

938

Mm.

939

You know, maybe you've gone

on summer holidays with them.

940

Um, I still take in my, our

grandchildren as they were growing up.

941

I'd take them out on my own, um, to North

Wales on the beach, and we've got loads

942

of pictures, just set no money, just sat

on the beach throwing pebbles into water,

943

you know, and those pebbles are free.

944

Jan Burch: Yeah.

945

Yeah.

946

Dave Connolly: But the

experience, you couldn't buy.

947

No.

948

You could not buy that.

949

No.

950

And even now, um, we still, when we go to

the beach, we, we were just, we were in

951

Italy, just, um, in, earlier in the year,

um, first thing we wanted to do was go to

952

the beach and throw stones in the water.

953

Mm-hmm.

954

You know, mum and dad thought

we're allowed to come because

955

there are too many questions.

956

Why we And what you might get wet.

957

Yeah.

958

Don't care.

959

Jan Burch: Yeah,

960

Dave Connolly: those clothes will dry.

961

Jan Burch: It's

962

Dave Connolly: lovely, but

those memories won't fade.

963

Jan Burch: Yeah.

964

My, um, my mom is, um, and Tim's mom, my

husband, the, those two women are, I'm

965

telling you, have got it to be honored.

966

But, um, and Tim's dad, my, my

dad had died before I got married.

967

Um.

968

Um, but they've had, they've been

significant in my children's life.

969

Um, I mean, still to this day, my mom

still, you know, would come round at the

970

drop of her hat and she used, she did my

childcare, um, when I went back to work.

971

And my kids absolutely adore, adore her.

972

Dave Connolly: Yeah.

973

Jan Burch: Um, but yeah.

974

And, and Tim's mom's completely different.

975

She's much more, um Right.

976

You know, my mom's more sort of

cuddly and, um, whereas Tim's

977

mom does baking with them and,

you know, gives some tasks to do.

978

Yeah.

979

Um, takes them out to historical places.

980

And both different things they've done

have been brilliant memories for them.

981

You know,

982

Dave Connolly: they're unique.

983

Jan Burch: Yeah.

984

Dave Connolly: They don't have to, those

grandparents aren't in competition.

985

Jan Burch: No, no.

986

That's right.

987

Dave Connolly: You know, we had

bonfire night, um, early last

988

week in our house and um, my

daughters, um, she's got two girls.

989

Um, her husband's, um.

990

Yeah, parents come round, you

know, and for the last few years

991

we've done it together and me

and him we're like naughty boys.

992

And, um, but we've been teaching the

eldest, uh, Miller, how to take control.

993

And she, we, we will hand

over the firework duties.

994

So I, you know, she's 13 and, um, not, not

now, you know, a little bit further way.

995

Jan Burch: Yeah,

996

Dave Connolly: yeah.

997

And we do all the right precautions,

but we still notice both.

998

Yeah.

999

Good.

00:51:07,260 --> 00:51:10,230

But what we want us to see is that

we're, now, we're very different.

00:51:10,260 --> 00:51:11,640

He's not, he's not a Christian yet.

00:51:11,820 --> 00:51:12,090

Jan Burch: Yeah.

00:51:12,120 --> 00:51:16,140

Dave Connolly: But he's a lovely

man, you know, and, um, I, I

00:51:16,140 --> 00:51:17,370

just, I love being with him.

00:51:17,370 --> 00:51:18,060

He's great fun.

00:51:18,510 --> 00:51:18,750

Jan Burch: Mm-hmm.

00:51:19,830 --> 00:51:22,830

Dave Connolly: We enjoy being together

and she enjoys doing it with us.

00:51:22,919 --> 00:51:25,055

And that's what, that is the lesson.

00:51:25,375 --> 00:51:25,774

Jan Burch: I love her

00:51:26,040 --> 00:51:27,810

Dave Connolly: that we,

we are not in competition.

00:51:27,834 --> 00:51:28,055

No,

00:51:28,319 --> 00:51:28,379

Jan Burch: no.

00:51:28,470 --> 00:51:30,660

Dave Connolly: We just

wanna love and love freely.

00:51:30,660 --> 00:51:30,720

Yeah.

00:51:31,950 --> 00:51:32,129

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

00:51:32,549 --> 00:51:33,180

So good.

00:51:33,839 --> 00:51:37,140

I think we could spend the whole night

talking about grandparents, couldn't we?

00:51:38,220 --> 00:51:42,270

Uh, and you know, whether it's

because of stories that we've heard

00:51:42,270 --> 00:51:43,770

or stories that we regret not hearing.

00:51:44,205 --> 00:51:44,625

Um,

00:51:44,654 --> 00:51:45,045

Jan Burch: yeah.

00:51:45,049 --> 00:51:45,069

Yeah.

00:51:45,524 --> 00:51:49,545

Matt Edmundson: I think my takeaway

for this evening, actually, I just

00:51:49,545 --> 00:51:52,605

entering that phase of life now

where Josh, my Eldes is engaged.

00:51:52,605 --> 00:51:54,915

He's getting married in April.

00:51:54,975 --> 00:51:55,575

Is that right, Zoe?

00:51:56,055 --> 00:51:58,545

Um, so he's getting married in April.

00:51:58,605 --> 00:52:01,904

It's gonna be a few years before

they have grandkids, I'm assuming,

00:52:01,964 --> 00:52:02,984

uh, before they have grandkids.

00:52:02,984 --> 00:52:04,634

Definitely a few years

before they have grandkids.

00:52:06,674 --> 00:52:11,595

A few things have gotta happen

first, um, a few years before.

00:52:11,654 --> 00:52:12,795

Um, they have kids.

00:52:13,305 --> 00:52:17,235

Um, and if they're able, you

know, and I, I, we got to sit

00:52:17,235 --> 00:52:20,625

down with Josh's fiance's parents.

00:52:20,685 --> 00:52:23,475

So Abby's parents who we're gonna

go see tomorrow in the Netherlands.

00:52:24,135 --> 00:52:26,565

Um, and we got to pray over

our kids, which was great.

00:52:27,525 --> 00:52:31,185

And we got to, the first time we met

them, we start talking about grand babies.

00:52:32,310 --> 00:52:36,870

No pressure kids, but, you know, and,

um, I think we'll just be marriage.

00:52:37,259 --> 00:52:37,560

Yeah.

00:52:37,589 --> 00:52:38,730

Well they've gotta get married first.

00:52:38,730 --> 00:52:38,895

Yeah, yeah.

00:52:38,895 --> 00:52:39,779

Then yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:52:39,779 --> 00:52:41,940

There's a, a line, a progression.

00:52:42,330 --> 00:52:46,350

Um, so I'm in this sort of phase of life

where I'm like, I'm too young to be a

00:52:46,350 --> 00:52:48,210

granddad, but actually I'm probably not.

00:52:48,339 --> 00:52:52,419

And the reality of life is it's

maybe five, 10 years away and that,

00:52:52,450 --> 00:52:53,830

you know, that's gonna change.

00:52:54,009 --> 00:52:55,930

And you know what, I'm starting

to really look forward to it now.

00:52:55,935 --> 00:52:56,680

Yeah, yeah.

00:52:56,680 --> 00:53:01,149

And I love what you were saying

about shaping, you know, influence

00:53:01,149 --> 00:53:04,509

or shaping and not just, you know,

going, oh, I've done my job with

00:53:04,509 --> 00:53:05,980

the kids, the rest is up to them.

00:53:06,279 --> 00:53:09,430

But actually still as a grandfather

taking on that grandfather role,

00:53:09,430 --> 00:53:13,930

telling their stories about God's

faithfulness and shaping my grandkids

00:53:14,230 --> 00:53:16,689

into, um, their journey as well.

00:53:16,689 --> 00:53:16,710

I'd love

00:53:16,710 --> 00:53:16,865

Jan Burch: that as well.

00:53:16,865 --> 00:53:16,875

Yeah.

00:53:18,120 --> 00:53:18,410

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

00:53:18,680 --> 00:53:18,980

Jan Burch: Yeah, yeah.

00:53:18,980 --> 00:53:19,095

Amen.

00:53:19,850 --> 00:53:20,130

Matt Edmundson: Good.

00:53:20,130 --> 00:53:20,140

Amen.

00:53:20,625 --> 00:53:23,475

Um, so before we close down

the livestream, any further

00:53:23,475 --> 00:53:24,465

comments from you, my dear?

00:53:24,465 --> 00:53:25,635

Jan Burch: No, just really enjoyed it.

00:53:25,815 --> 00:53:26,595

Thanks Dave.

00:53:26,595 --> 00:53:32,295

And, um, I think, I think it's really

important to, you know, as, as you said,

00:53:32,295 --> 00:53:35,145

to honor our grandparents and our parents.

00:53:35,175 --> 00:53:35,235

Mm.

00:53:35,895 --> 00:53:36,225

Yeah.

00:53:36,765 --> 00:53:36,945

Matt Edmundson: Yeah.

00:53:36,945 --> 00:53:38,625

Any further comments from you, chief?

00:53:38,985 --> 00:53:39,195

Dave Connolly: No.

00:53:39,195 --> 00:53:40,065

I'm good at study.

00:53:40,245 --> 00:53:41,085

I said way enough

00:53:42,855 --> 00:53:43,755

Matt Edmundson: just goes to the comments.

00:53:43,845 --> 00:53:47,355

Um, Louise said here, I, she

agrees actually she would've

00:53:47,595 --> 00:53:50,205

asked more and listened to more

stories from her grandparents.

00:53:50,655 --> 00:53:54,195

One good thing is I have my

family history written down.

00:53:54,285 --> 00:53:54,435

Wow.

00:53:54,705 --> 00:53:58,695

And there are some good, uh,

about my granddad in there.

00:53:58,965 --> 00:54:00,525

I can always look at that in the photos.

00:54:00,525 --> 00:54:03,885

You know what, actually, one

thing Sharon's grandmother did.

00:54:03,940 --> 00:54:07,000

She wrote a book called Lost

and Found, which was her story.

00:54:07,840 --> 00:54:10,960

Um, talking about what it was like growing

up in the war and all that sort of stuff.

00:54:11,590 --> 00:54:13,270

Such a good thing to do.

00:54:13,330 --> 00:54:17,620

And I'm like, actually my, I

mean, for my grandkids, this, I, I

00:54:17,620 --> 00:54:19,060

appreciate technology is different.

00:54:19,420 --> 00:54:22,210

If they really wanted to, there's

hours and hours of videos they

00:54:22,210 --> 00:54:23,440

could watch of me talking.

00:54:23,500 --> 00:54:23,770

Right.

00:54:23,770 --> 00:54:24,670

Which I think is great.

00:54:24,670 --> 00:54:24,730

Yeah.

00:54:25,360 --> 00:54:29,660

But to write your story down like

that, that's such a good thing to do.

00:54:29,660 --> 00:54:29,785

Yeah.

00:54:30,225 --> 00:54:30,615

Jan Burch: Yeah.

00:54:30,645 --> 00:54:33,105

Matt Edmundson: Um, and if you are

a grandparent, can I encourage you?

00:54:33,135 --> 00:54:33,255

Yeah.

00:54:33,495 --> 00:54:35,475

Go write a book about your story?

00:54:35,475 --> 00:54:35,535

Yeah.

00:54:36,015 --> 00:54:39,705

Even if just, just your grandkids that

read it, um, it'll be such a wonderful

00:54:39,705 --> 00:54:40,935

possession to give them, I think.

00:54:41,385 --> 00:54:41,685

Dave Connolly: Yeah.

00:54:42,045 --> 00:54:42,435

Matt Edmundson: Amazing.

00:54:42,435 --> 00:54:43,605

Really amazing.

00:54:44,475 --> 00:54:45,555

Okay, well.

00:54:45,750 --> 00:54:47,130

I love this.

00:54:47,130 --> 00:54:49,560

Love the fact that at church

we can talk about grandparents

00:54:49,560 --> 00:54:50,850

and do that in a godly way.

00:54:50,850 --> 00:54:52,350

So thanks Dave for sharing that with us.

00:54:52,350 --> 00:54:52,860

Love the story.

00:54:52,860 --> 00:54:53,070

Pleasure.

00:54:53,490 --> 00:54:54,210

It was really good.

00:54:54,210 --> 00:54:55,230

Thanks John for being with us.

00:54:55,290 --> 00:54:55,470

Jan Burch: Thank you.

00:54:56,370 --> 00:54:58,740

Matt Edmundson: So what we're gonna

do now is we're gonna close this

00:54:58,740 --> 00:55:00,330

particular aspect of the live stream.

00:55:00,390 --> 00:55:06,300

Uh, so can you put in the comments again,

the URL, um, so in the comments is a url.

00:55:06,300 --> 00:55:08,880

Go Crowd Church slash meet.

00:55:09,330 --> 00:55:11,730

Um, Dan's gonna get his laptop ready.

00:55:12,855 --> 00:55:15,615

Q, Dan, uh, and we will see you.

00:55:15,675 --> 00:55:18,405

Um, I am in the, in the Google meet.

00:55:18,405 --> 00:55:19,455

Do come join us in there.

00:55:19,455 --> 00:55:22,665

Come and say how's it, uh,

come chat with us as we'll.

00:55:22,665 --> 00:55:24,915

Carrie, come talk, share your

stories about grandparents.

00:55:24,915 --> 00:55:27,075

Be good to hear them in there.

00:55:27,615 --> 00:55:30,705

Uh, so we're gonna probably take

about two minutes to do that.

00:55:31,095 --> 00:55:33,345

Um, but we're gonna end

the live stream now.

00:55:33,375 --> 00:55:38,279

This next week, uh, is Mark Buchanan.

00:55:39,030 --> 00:55:40,800

Talking about discipleship, your friends.

00:55:40,905 --> 00:55:41,195

Yeah.

00:55:41,195 --> 00:55:41,550

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:55:41,700 --> 00:55:44,760

So, uh, we've got, we're gonna do talk

about discipleship next week, so come

00:55:44,760 --> 00:55:46,260

join us without looking forward to that.

00:55:46,920 --> 00:55:49,530

Uh, but in the meantime, if you, if

we don't see you in the Google rooms,

00:55:49,710 --> 00:55:51,210

have a phenomenal week, wherever you

00:55:51,435 --> 00:55:51,475

Jan Burch: are.

00:55:51,475 --> 00:55:51,555

Yeah.

00:55:51,555 --> 00:55:52,170

Have a great week, everyone.

00:55:52,265 --> 00:55:52,650

Matt Edmundson: Yeah, yeah.

00:55:52,890 --> 00:55:53,490

Jan Burch: God bless.

00:55:53,520 --> 00:55:54,090

Matt Edmundson: God bless you.

00:55:54,180 --> 00:55:54,600

Bye for now.