Loving Grandchildren Near and Far

Becoming a grandparent changes your heart in ways you never expect.

In this episode of Only for a Season, I share the story of becoming a grandparent for the first time and how that love only grew as our family expanded. I talk about the joy of holding a grandchild for the first time, the pain of distance when some grandchildren move far away, and the lessons learned about staying connected across miles.

This episode is especially for grandparents who have grandchildren living out of state. The worries, the missing of everyday moments, and the question of whether the bond will remain strong. I share what we learned through phone calls, Facetime, visits, birthdays, and being intentional with love.

It is a reminder that while distance changes how we connect, it does not change how deeply we love.

The episode closes with encouragement for grandparents to cherish every season, build strong relationships early, and keep their grandchildren covered in prayer.

Because these seasons move quickly, and grandchildren truly are a gift, only for a season.

As 2025 comes to a close, many of us are carrying the weight of different seasons.
Some were filled with joy and answered prayers.
Others were marked by loss, waiting, or quiet struggle.

In this end-of-year episode, I reflect on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and the truth that there is a season for everything. We talk about how God is present in both the good and the difficult moments, how no season is wasted, and how waiting does not mean God is absent.

This episode is also a reminder to look beyond ourselves. If someone you know has walked through a hard season this year, now is the time to stand in the gap for them. Not just by saying you will pray, but by reaching out and praying with them, right then if you are able.

As we prepare our hearts to welcome 2026, this conversation is an invitation to slow down, reflect, pray boldly, and trust God with every season ahead.

If this message resonates with you, consider sharing it with someone who may need encouragement today.

In this episode of Only for a Season, we talk about something many fathers struggle with but rarely discuss. The power of asking for forgiveness. As dads, we carry a responsibility to guide, protect, and speak life into our children. Yet there are moments when frustration gets the best of us, and words slip out that should never have been spoken.

I share a personal story from the season when my daughters were teenagers, a moment when anger took over and the weight of my own words broke the peace in our home. The silence that followed. The regret that settled in. And the steps I had to take to make things right.

This is an episode about humility, healing, and the courage it takes for a father to say I’m sorry.
If you are carrying unresolved tension between you and your child, or if years have passed without restoration, I encourage you to lean into this message. Forgiveness begins with a humble heart. And healing often starts with one honest conversation.

No matter what season you are in as a father, God can use even the painful moments to shape you, strengthen you, and restore what was broken.

In this episode, I share a personal story about a moment when the Holy Spirit used a complete stranger to speak hope into my darkest season. We talk about the nudges God gives us to pray, to speak life, and to slow down long enough to notice the needs in front of us. If you’ve ever hesitated when God prompted you to act, or if you’re walking through a heavy season yourself, this episode will remind you that God can use anyone and any moment to lift you up. No season is wasted when we follow his leading.

I grew up without cousins nearby. No family gatherings. No aunts or uncles dropping in. It was just our small family circle, and that was my normal. Looking back, I realize how much that shaped the way I saw connection and family.

Then I married Ruth, and her world looked completely different. She has cousins and aunts and uncles on both sides of her family, and they have always been close. They gather, laugh, share memories, and stay connected. Even now, she lights up when she is around them.

It was such a contrast to what I knew growing up, but it opened my eyes to something I want to share with you in this episode. Having good family is a blessing. It is a gift not everyone gets, and one that is easy to overlook until you realize how special it really is.

If you have good family, the kind that brings peace, laughter, and love, cherish them. Reach out. Call that cousin you have not talked to in years. Send a message to an aunt or uncle who has been on your mind. Life moves fast, and the time to reconnect is now.

Not every relationship is meant to be rebuilt, and it is important to keep healthy boundaries when needed. But if you have simply lost touch with someone good, do not wait too long to reach out. Family, when it is healthy and grounded in love, is one of God’s sweetest gifts.

Through marriage, I have come to see Ruth’s family as my own, and I am grateful. I may not have grown up with cousins or big gatherings, but I have gained that through her. It has reminded me that family does not always have to be by blood. Sometimes God weaves it into our lives through love, friendship, and marriage.

This episode is a simple encouragement to look at the people in your life who bring goodness, peace, and joy, and to thank God for them. Staying connected to good family is one of the best ways to honor the blessings He has placed around you.

Listen to The Gift I Never Had on Only for a Season with Mel Cruzado, available wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Only for a Season, Mel Cruzado speaks directly to men about one of the most overlooked marks of strength, knowing when to stay silent.

Real leadership in marriage isn’t about control or pride; it’s about respect, restraint, and protecting your wife’s dignity. Mel shares how true maturity shows up in the quiet moments when a man chooses patience over pride and privacy over public arguments.

Whether you’re newly married, a dad trying to model peace for your kids, or a man learning to love better in this season of life, this episode will challenge, encourage, and remind you what real strength looks like.

💭 “When you choose privacy over pride, you’re not hiding weakness, you’re showing strength.”

🎧 Listen now and let this message reshape how you lead, love, and communicate.

In this heartfelt episode, Mel shares the true story of how he and his wife Ruth went from newlyweds filled with dreams… to facing unemployment, bankruptcy, and fear — and how faith carried them through.

Laid off just three months after their wedding, Mel found himself questioning everything — his future, his purpose, and even God’s plan. But through every closed door, God was quietly working behind the scenes, preparing something greater than he could imagine.

From the factory layoffs at Ford and Republic Steel to the unexpected job at General Electric that changed everything, this story is a reminder that even in our darkest seasons, God’s timing is never late.

If you’re walking through uncertainty right now — wondering how it will all work out — this episode will encourage you to hold on, keep praying, and trust that your season will change.

🎙️ Listen to “Just Married - Just Laid Off” — a real story of faith, perseverance, and God’s faithfulness through life’s hardest seasons.

In this special episode, host Mel Cruzado shares the story behind Only for a Season — how years of hesitation and self-doubt gave way to obedience and purpose.

After nearly 38 years with GE Healthcare, Mel retired at age 60 and began reflecting on the many seasons of his life — as a husband of 46 years to Ruth, a father to Jennifer and Michele, and a grandfather to five. Through walks, prayer, and quiet reflection, he felt God nudging him to share how His hand had been faithful in every chapter.

Launched in March 2025 and inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, this podcast is a place for honest stories about faith, family, and the seasons that shape us. Whether you’re a young man finding your way, a father navigating new challenges, or someone praying for the men in your life, Mel’s hope is that you’ll hear something that reminds you — God is present in every season.

🎧 Every story has purpose. Every season matters.