The phone call came while I was in the car.
The pleasant greeting from my youngest son, Jess, included these celebratory words. “Dad, how does a grandson sound to you?”
It was not news that his wife Rachel was pregnant. We had been rejoicing in that reality for several weeks. Jess’s call was to let me know that they had been able to determine the gender from the sonogram. It’s a boy.
I felt the tears form in my eyes. My words were choked. I had difficulty responding to my son. I was going to have a grandson.
You see, it really did not matter if the baby was a boy or girl. But the news of the gender brought me closer to the reality of the moment. I was going to have a grandson.
Then Came the Photos
Through the marvels of medical science and Internet technology, Jess soon sent me the photos of his son in the womb. Each photo had a caption, sometimes humorous, and always moving. And my son made clear markers on the photos lest there be any anatomical doubt of this baby’s gender.
But the moment I saw the pictures, I knew that my earlier assertion was wrong. I wasn’t going to be a grandfather. I am a grandfather.
I did not see a mass of tissue. I did not see a form that would one day be a person. I saw hands and feet and a beautifully-formed head. I saw the little hand that had moved toward his mouth, just as my son described when he saw the motion actually take place. I saw those little legs that are already giving mom a swift kick of a reminder that he is here. I saw a real person. I saw a miracle and a gift.
I saw my grandson.
He was secure in the comfort and love of his mother’s womb. And perhaps he sensed something of the careful protection of a loving dad in the outside world.
The Right Perspective
The photos caused me to have a right perspective. No longer would I declare that I was going to love this child when he came into the world. I already love this child. No longer would Nellie Jo and I pray each night for our future grandson. He is very real and very present in this world right now.
I saw my grandson.
And though it might be a stretch to say I saw him smile, I can say that I sensed a smiling child. He knows his mother loves him. He might even know his dad loves him. And soon he will meet a host of grandparents, uncles, aunts, a cousin, and many friends. He will know he is welcomed in this world.
Thank You God
My preference was to keep talking to Jess, to keep celebrating this moment with him. Rachel had called her family. Jess had called Nellie Jo. But he still had brothers and friends to contact. I reluctantly let him go.
In the emotion of the moment, I turned to God in His Word as soon as I could get out of the car. I read again all of Psalm 139. And I focused on verses 13 and 14, an incredible statement of God’s love and care for the unborn.
“For it was You who created my inward parts. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.”
Thank You, God.
I saw my grandson.
He is remarkably and wonderfully made.
