· By Mr. Sim · ~2 min read
Grandparenting Through the Load-Shedding: A South African Christian's Guide to the Candlelight and the Grandchildren
Grandparenting Through the Load-Shedding: A South African Christian's Guide to the Candlelight and the Grandchildren
The Scene
The lights went out at six in the evening. The inverter was on. The JoJo tank was full. The grandchildren were staying over. The grandmother in Sandton lit the candles, opened the Bible story book, and began.
Psalm 136:1 — *"Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. His love endures forever."*
The South African Christian in the situations described above is not alone. The Bible has been speaking to these situations for two thousand years. The Wednesday Bible study in Parkmore has been hearing these passages read, discussed, and applied for ten years. What follows is a distillation of what the Bible says and what we have learned from the journey.
The Unique Role of the Grandparent
The grandparent can be the keeper of the stories — the family history, the faith history, the stories of God's goodness in the past. The load-shedding evening is an opportunity, not just an inconvenience.
What the Bible Says About the Older Generation
Psalm 71:18: 'Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation.' The grandparent has a job to do.
Turning Load-Shedding into Ministry
The grandparent who uses the load-shedding evening for a Bible story, a prayer, a song, and a game has turned the Eskom failure into a family blessing.
Practical Load-Shedding Grandparent Tips
Have a 'load-shedding box.' Have the stories ready. Have a prayer ready. Use the candlelight for what screens cannot replicate: presence.
A Prayer for the Load-Shedding Evening
Father, thank you for the load-shedding. Use the evening to speak to the grandchildren. Make the load-shedding a small church in the home. Amen.
A Closing Prayer
Father, we bring this struggle to you. We ask for your wisdom, your strength, and your presence. We ask for the community to hold us. We ask for the hope that does not disappoint. Amen.
*Johannesburg Bible Study Church meets online every Wednesday at 7:30pm for a Bible study that is intentionally local and biblically grounded. The Bible study is free, open to anyone, and free to join or to leave. Call Mr. Sim on +27 77 487 1295 or Ms. Dora on +27 67 442 4461.*
Community notes
From people who have shown up.
Honest, lightly edited, with permission. To leave a comment, use the form below — your note goes straight to our team email and we will post it here once we have confirmed with you.
Naledi P.
Parkmore
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I attended my first Sunday picnic with my family. The vibe was warm without being overwhelming. The kids ran around Mushroom Farm Park, the adults talked, and someone brought extra blankets for the cool afternoon.
Johan v.d.M.
Sandton
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The Korean class has become our family Sunday ritual. My wife and I take the class, the kids play. It is the only Sunday we look forward to in the month.