My child arrived just the other day,
He came to the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew,
He’d say, “I’m gonna be like you, dad.
You know I’m gonna be like you.”
(Harry Chapin Archives)
It was six months ago today that my grandson Benjamin arrived to the world in the usual way. Our daughter Tiffany was telling Karen that Benjamin is now turning over from either side and that if Mommy and Daddy leave him where he cannot see them, he has developed a new screech. He has learned so much in just the three weeks I last saw him.
I look forward in the future spending time with my grandson and other grandchildren should the Lord bless my daughters so. I already envision me sharing my love for Jesus and the Bible with Benjamin and reinforcing what his parents teach him about the important lessons in the Word. I want to help to understand the jewel of life that biblical wisdom is:
-
“Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.†(Proverbs 9:9-11)
I want to help Benjamin understand the difference between wisdom and knowledge and caution him to not consider himself wise in his own ways:
-
“If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you will bear it alone.†(Proverbs 9:12)
I also want to share with my son-in-law the joy of raising a son to manhood through the grace of Jesus. I want Ben to understand the importance of agape love when it comes to loving our children unconditionally.
-
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.†(Colossians 3:21)
I want Ben to know the blessing of an adult son such as my Eddie when he would call me and say, “Dad, I need some advice; I need your godly wisdom.†I still remember the first time Eddie called me and said that. That is precious memory I will treasure until we are united in heaven.
What I want to be able to impress upon Ben and Benjamin is that the ending of Harry Chapin’s song “Cats in the Cradle†never become their legacy:
I’ve long since retired and my son’s moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
I said, “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind.”
He said, “I’d love to, dad, if I could find the time.
You see, my new job’s a hassle, and the kid’s got the flu,
But it’s sure nice talking to you, dad.
It’s been sure nice talking to you.”
And as I hung up the phone, it occurred to me,
He’d grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.
Ben and Tiffany are wonderful parents; they are absolute naturals. If Ben one day looks at his grown son Benjamin and can say to the glory of God and because of the grace of Jesus…He’s grown up just like me. My boy is just like me…then Ben can truly have experienced:
-
“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.†(Psalm 127:4-5)
Today Benjamin is six months old; tomorrow he will be six years old. The day after that he will be sixteen saying to Ben…
“What I’d really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?”
And before you know it Ben you’ll be sitting here like me amazed that your grandson is already six months old. I always joke by making a play on an old saying, “Fun flies when you’re doing time.†But it is true! The precious things in life fly by you and you have to take time out, make time, to enjoy the abundant life Jesus promises. Time is a fleeting commodity and in different stages of our lives we are in involved in so many things, much of them we never imagined.
A very wise man, who did many foolish things in his life, looked back on that life and recorded some very familiar words. It is with those I close, sending out Mee Maw and Grampy’s precious boy a “Happy Half Birthday.†Be blessed!
-
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.†(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4
“If you’re receiving these devotionals for the first time and would like to receive them on a regular basis, please click here and use “Please add to Devotional List” as the subject.”
