One of life's great pleasures is the proverbial passing of the torch or the changing of the guard as my father used to say. Melissa and I have recently been blessed with the news that we are going to be grandparents for the first time! When we first heard the news from our daughter, our initial reactions were quite typical for a father and mother. My wife of course, for those of you who know her was born to be a mother but her DNA is inundated with the grandma gene. After all it's been twenty years since we last celebrated the birth of a child, our baby and youngest Rebecca. She has had numerous battles with withdraw over the years and her favorite phrase for reminding me about the blessings of having kids even after our years of fertility is " Blessed is the man who's quiver is full." She would've given the Duggar family a run for their money! That's how much she loves children and being a mom. Alas, God was generous to give us five beautiful and healthy children so we are not lacking! Now the smile hasn't left her face since she heard. She already is looking for cribs, car seats, clothes and planning for baby showers and years of smothering the poor child with so much sweetness, love and affection the baby will have cavities before it's teeth come in!
Me on the other hand reacted as the typical father, as if I was investigating a crime. Alright, how did that happen? I need to speak to him. Well, that changes everything! Ok, let's sort through this for a minute! What? Sort through it? How did that happen? It was almost as if I was in denial! Then reality kicked me in the pants and I came to my senses as I looked at my beautiful daughter and put on my sunglasses to keep me from going blind from the light of my wife's smile. I was going to transition from dad to grandad. I could feel the waves of anxiety come over me. I had passed through the next great portal of life and there was no going back. My hair was thinning, my wrinkles were suddenly more pronounced, my AARP card mysteriously appeared on the table, and I had the sudden desire to buy a Buick. My Lord, what was happening to me! My wife and child were hugging in tears of joy and I suddenly needed to see my chiropractor!
I was awoken from my paralyzing fear by my daughter saying, " Well grandpa what do you think?" It was then the Lord checked my spirit and said quite pronounced, "Rejoice and celebrate this life to come, for I have given it to all of you." It was as if I was becoming a father for the first time. So, I just grabbed her, gave her a hug and told her how truly excited and happy I was. How could I not? One of our own beautiful girls was going to be a mom and experience all the joy and emotion that God puts into our lives through the privilege of being a steward to His most precious creation. This is life's most important task besides our own salvation and relationship to Him. It all makes so much sense to me now. As my life has wound along it's highways, I've lost my way a number of times, made my share of mistakes and not been the best child to my Heavenly Father. However, He was always there. Ready to forgive, love some more, put me back on the right path and reveal His will and blessings for my life. I have had many! They all center around my family. First my beautiful wife of 31 years Melissa, then five great children, DeAnna, Christina, Alicia, Ricky Jr., and Rebecca. Now our grandchild! It's been a marvelous and awesome ride and now it continues. Melissa and I get to pass along our wisdom and love again! God is truly good. So to all my friends and family out there who are or will be graced with grandchildren, embrace the moment. Jesus said, " I have come to give you life, and give it abundantly." Truer words could not have been spoken. Now it's off to the store for some Rogaine and Just For Men hair coloring!
Psalm 105
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
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