Pop's Advice

Introduction

It dawned on me the other day that I’m considered “elderly” now that I’m in my late sixties. I’m kind of upset about that because it implies I’m old, something I vehemently deny. Nevertheless, reaching this point in my life got me thinking about what we psychologists call “generativity,” the stage of life where we desire to create or nurture things that will outlast us and benefit those who follow, especially the younger generation.

Given that I don’t know how much longer I’ve got left, I felt nudged by God to write a book of advice for my grandkids. Because my grandkids call me Pop, I decided to title the book Pop’s Advice. In it, I hand down the most important things I’ve learned over the years about how to live life in a spiritually and emotionally healthy manner.

You might question why I think I have something of value to pass along to my grandkids, much less why you might want to read it. All I can tell you is that I have spent the last fifty-plus years as a Christian person of faith and forty-plus years as a psychologist studying what it takes to live life in the wisest and most growthful manner possible, and I want to offer what I’ve learned to my grandkids and to you in case it might help.

Here are some suggestions on how to read Pop’s Advice.

First, I purposely wrote 52 chapters so you can read one chapter a week and complete the book in a year. If you are going to go through the book with your child or grandchild, set aside an hour each week to read a chapter together, discuss what you read, and complete the corresponding lesson in the workbook along the way.

Second, don’t wait until the end of the book to do the workbook. I wrote the workbook because I’m a firm believer we need to put what we learn into action as quickly as possible. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” We’d all be wise to tattoo that statement on our foreheads. Anything less than spending time each day taking what we know and acting on it isn’t going to be enough to move our lives forward in a healthy and constructive way.

Third, if you’re going to read the book with your child or grandchild, I encourage you to wait until he or she is middle school age (11-13) or older. I’m suggesting this particular age group because it strikes me as the time during which young people might be more likely to understand and implement the advice offered in this book. Do what you think is best given the maturity level of your particular child or grandchild. As you know, some five-year-olds are more mature than some fifty-year-olds.

Fourth, don’t get discouraged if your child or grandchild thinks the book is boring or a waste of time. Just threaten to withhold their allowance, restrict their social life, load them down with chores, forbid them from playing video games, and put their cell phones in a bank vault until they’re willing to go through it with you.

Fifth, if you’re a grandparent wanting to read the book with your grandchild, make sure you get permission from their parents. Your grandkid’s parents are their earthly authority and need to be the ones who green light doing the book. If they don’t want you to do it, please respect that and just do it behind their back (I’m kidding).

Sixth, if you can’t do the book with your kids or grandkids, read it for your own growth and development. The material covered in this book applies to everyone on the planet regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, occupation, personality type, marital status, background, talents, abilities, or life circumstances. Because it’s based on biblical wisdom, this book can help everyone become a healthier, more mature adult.

Finally, if you’re going to read the book for yourself, do it with a group of like-minded folks who want to live their lives in a spiritually and emotionally healthy manner. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” and we adults need to iron sharpen iron each other into becoming whole and complete human beings.

My grandkids mean the world to me. Nothing fills my heart with joy like being their granddad. Grandchildren are a precious gift to us, a gift like no other, and we need to do the best job we can to guide them in the right direction as they make their way through life. Edward Fays was right when he said, “There is nothing more wonderful than the love and guidance a grandparent can give his or her grandchild.” Let’s give our children, grandchildren, and even ourselves the guidance contained in this book, especially in light of the fact that it reflects God’s love, wisdom, and guidance for us.

Blessings,

Chris