Wednesday, February 27, 2019

“Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.” (Luke 1:66, New Living Translation)

                If you can’t trust your own children, whom can you trust?

                A little while back, Nick and Erin invited us to come for this past week-end, part of which was to look after the our two grandsons while they went to a “bank appointment” on Saturday.  We didn’t need to be asked twice. A weekend with William and Henry is a real joy!

                On Saturday morning Nick and Erin headed out to their appointment. We played a lot of video games. The boys helped Grandma bake a chocolate cake. More video games. We all were having a great time.

                When Nick and Erin returned, they confessed to us that they had told us a little fib about the reason for their alleged “bank appointment”. They then produced an ultra sound photo of our new-to-be grandchild. They were announcing their pregnancy to us. The baby is due in September.  But we are already very excited about our ever-growing family and couldn’t be happier for them and us.

                As for the fib, well, I am pretty sure that this is not the first time that Nick has misled me…  But under the circumstances who’s to complain?

                What will this child turn out to be? This question which was asked about the child whom we know became John the Baptist is an intriguing question for any parent or even grandparent. The world is bursting both with opportunities as well as challenges for today’s children. Therefore, it is so important to ensure that each and every child is loved, nurtured, encouraged, be well-taught with good values, affirmed, and be given every chance to grow and develop in healthy ways in mind, body and spirit.

                What will this child turn out to be? Certainly, we pray for a healthy child - ten fingers and ten toes and two ears all right where they are supposed to be. But beyond the physical characteristics we  begin to imagine a world in which this about-to-be little one finds his or her place, makes his or her mark,  expresses his or her personality, and becomes the whole person he or she will become.

                Parenting is hard these days. Sometimes we wish we could wrap our children in bubble warp and keep them safe and well. Good parenting takes a lot of patience, constancy, determination, perseverance, good humour, courage, fortitude and a great deal of love and perhaps a dash of good luck every now and then.  To give one’s child a firm foundation in core values and character-building ideals is the onus on every parent, grandparent, or even, as it is on our own family, aunts and uncles. “My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course.” (Proverbs 23:19, New Living Translation)

                In some ways, a new-born is a blank slate. How we surround that child with a positive, healthy environment goes a long way as to defining what this child will become.

                Then perhaps, when all is said and done, someone will recognize the sacred heart and soul of the child and discover how the hand of the Lord is upon them in a very special and unique way.

                Without the honey and locusts, I hope!

Dale