The Baby Is Here!


This morning my oldest son, Nathaniel, and his wife, Nicole, welcomed baby Isabella Elena into their family. She's our second grandchild, which is a bit surreal, and we sure are excited. Her older brother, Josiah, is just 21 months and has his first sibling. I have no doubt he'll be an awesome big brother.

Before our first grandchild was born many people told me what it would be like, but to be honest I didn't really get it. I have since learned the bond that occurs when that child is placed in your arms. Although a generation removed you know, "this child descended from me." It's a bit overwhelming.

"A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty." -Author Unknown

The amount of love and sense of responsibility are both enormous when you're a grandparent. The love part seems to come naturally, the responsibility is also assigned by our Heavenly Father.

"And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." Deuteronomy 4:8-9

On earth we often say things like, "You can't take it with you," or "You came into this world with nothing and you'll leave with nothing." Yet, this isn't entirely true. There is one thing you have stewardship of on earth you can take to Heaven...your children. Oh, they'll have to make their own decision to follow Christ, but you get to show them the way. In fact, Moses flips that over to the next generation as well.

Ultimately the task of training up little Isabella in the way she should go will fall to her Dad and Mom. I look forward to showing her the way as well though. That and giving her things her parents say she can't have. I look forward to that too. Because that's what grandparents do.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

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