Our Last Grandchild

Now that I have written about the births of all five of our grandchildren, I shall move on to a different subject tomorrow. Thank you to those who have indulged me as I walked down memory lane.

Two little girls, ten and seven had begged for a sibling for a long time and finally mother told them a baby was on the way. They could hardly wait.

Daughter #2 had taught school that day but I could tell she was tired when she came by our home after school. There wasn't any sign of beginning labor although I could tell she wished there was. When our phone rang about 4:00 a.m., I knew who was on the other end of the line.

"It's time. If dad can come and stay with the girls, we'll meet you at the hospital. I don't think it will be long because my contractions are pretty regular."

"Okay, I'll call your sister and tell her. Granddad will head to your house in just a bit and I'll meet you at the hospital.

I was prepared; really prepared. I had a bag packed with a couple of books; some unread magazines, a bottle of water; a couple of packages of peanut butter crackers; a little pillow in case I wanted to nap while I waited and, of course, my sweater because hospital waiting rooms are always cold.
The waiting room was empty when we arrived. The soon to be parents checked in while I made myself comfortable. I dug out a magazine and flipped through it. I had my ears on standby waiting for the cry of a newborn.

I grabbed a packet of crackers; propped my feet up on a nearby chair, leaned back with the little pillow under my head and threw my sweater over me thinking I might catch a wink or two. But, a nap was not to be........was that a baby crying or was I dreaming? I sat up and listened again. Sure enough, it was the cry of a new born. I threw things aside and ran down the hall only to see my son-in-law come out of the room with a smile on his face.

"It's a girl and the nurse just took her to the nursery. She is beautiful and Mama is doing great. Sure didn't take long , did it?" he said. We glanced through the glass into the nursery and then the proud daddy went back inside to see about Mama while I called the girls
.
In no time, another set of grandparents arrived and a granddad with two very excited little girls who were jumping up and down with excitement. Within minutes, daddy came out carrying that tiny bundle and the girls gathered around; touching her gently and gazing at her in awe.

Within a couple or three hours, Daughter #1 and her family arrived, thankful this was real labor and not Braxton-Hicks again. There we were; altogether again as a family oohing and cooing over that sweet face wrapped tight in a little blanket with a little knit cap on her head.

Families are brought together to celebrate the good times.............Thanksgivings, Christmases, birthdays, graduations, and weddings. They are brought together in the bad times; serious illnesses and funerals. But, the most exciting time of all is when God sends a new life into a family.

As I think about our grandchildren, I realize how blessed we are. Each of them has a relationship with God and the knowledge they are secure in Him throughout eternity.

I recall hearing this statement: "The family unit points us to another establishment God has ordained—the church. Jesus Christ is the head of the church. He is the authority. The church as a whole is His bride. We as individuals in the church are His children and siblings one with another."
Yes, God established the earthly family in the beginning. And, He gave us His direction for families through His word. I am so thankful for my physical family and I'm thankful for my spiritual family in our church; those fellow believers who have professed Christ as their Lord and Savior. And, we are to love them just as we love our physical family.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).