“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him” (Psalm 127:3). Beginning in 1984, God blessed Renée and I with three amazing sons – Jeremy, Justin, and Jared. Being a father was the most important and most wonderful thing I could have ever done. I was young – twenty-years old when Jeremy was born – and surely made a lot of mistakes. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I will always remember reading Dr. Seuss books to them, going camping, visiting Storyland and Santa’s Village in New Hampshire. Cheering them on at soccer and basketball games, as well as Jared’s swim meets. Enjoying the magic of Christmas as we awaited the visit from the jolly old elf.
When I accepted my first pastoral call in Orrington, Maine, I was privileged to see them all accept Jesus as Lord and watched as they participated in youth group and Sunday worship. Sure, it wasn’t all rainbows and puppy dogs. They had their share of slipups and missteps but nothing too dramatic. No more trouble than I gave my parents. All in all, Renée and I were very blessed to have such great boys. The next phase was watching them grow into men. Again, they made their share of mistakes but no more than I had. They are now 40, 37, and 35-years-old and I am proud of all of them. Thankful. Blessed.
Looking at my sons it was hard to fathom that I could possibly love someone more than I do my children. You would do anything for them. Anything. And most of us have. Even when they mess up. Make a bone-headed decision. You still love them. You can’t stop. Being a father helped me understand the depth of God’s love. As I said, I would do anything for my boys – up to and including giving my life to save theirs. It’s a love you can’t describe and yet it’s exactly how God feels about us. Even when I mess up or make a bone-headed decision because you don’t really grow out of that. We are His children, and He loves us more than life itself as well. I know how He feels when He sees us fall and scrape our knees or make a poor decision. I know how He feels when He sees us hurting. How much it hurts Him. I know He would do anything for us – up to and including give His life for ours. Because that’s exactly what He did. Yes, being a parent helped me understand how much God loves us.
Now, I was destined to have sons. My father was one of three boys. I am one of three boys. I had three boys. My older brother George has two boys, and my younger brother John has two boys. This line of Söderberg’s simply produces men. That’s just how it is. That’s why when my son Justin and daughter-in-law Taylor announced they were pregnant, I really didn’t expect anything other than a boy. Say, “Hello,” to Nova Michael. Nova made me a Papa and I entered the next phase of grandparent. The Bible has something to say about that too. “Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged” (Proverbs 17:8), and indeed they are. Surely, this is how God felt when you (His child) had your kids. Yes, I know. I am “the aged” now, passing the sixty-mark last year. As such, I have a different outlook as it’s simply true that I have less time ahead of me than I do behind me. I am not troubled by that truth. I feel good, generally, and Renée and I are looking forward to retirement in a few years.
I mention all this because on Friday, March 15, – two days from today – we will travel back up to Maine to welcome our second grandchild. For the first time in four generations – a girl! Praise God! He can still surprise us. I know I am getting older, but the future never looked brighter. Yes, “Children are a gift from the Lord – a reward from him,” and “Grandchildren are a crowning glory!” But most importantly, I am reminded again of the depth of God’s love for His children.
Welcome, Riley Quinn! I can’t wait to meet you. I love you already more than you know.
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