Nate

June 22, 2020

Today is Nate’s birthday. That long-ago day was exciting not only for his birth, but for the way he made his entry into the world. Hurricane Agnes was making its way up the coast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. We however, were in the hill country outside of Wellsville, NY. What could happen there? We were to find out.

My brother and sister in law were visiting with their new firstborn. We went to bed the night before listening to a gentle rain. Sometime in the middle of the night, it ceased being gentle. I woke early to the sound of water lapping at our door. When I looked out, the little creek that ran beside our driveway, normally about eight feet down, had risen over its banks and was knee-deep in our front yard. We knew we had to leave, but one of our former youth group boys was parked behind our cars in the driveway, fast asleep in the back seat. 

Pounding on the window finally woke him from his stupor. We got out and drove to his parent’s house where we spent the night. Reports kept coming in; roads were closing. It was now or never to get to the hospital. Wellsville was out of the question; one entire wing of their hospital had collapsed into the Genesee river, so we set off for Olean in my boss’s Olds 88 Wildcat convertible. He had managed to wind his way into our little hamlet through rock-strewn back roads and insisted we take his bigger and heavier car.

We made it as far as Portville, where rising water had flooded the road. I left Linda in the care of some firemen while I looked for a place to park the car. When I got back to the no-crossing place, they had already evacuated her in an Army duck. I managed to find someone with a Jeep who was willing to brave the waters to get me across to the other side.

When I got to the hospital, she was already being prepped for delivery. She begged them to wait, but they put her completely under, we suspect because the obstetrician was out evacuating his home and wasn’t even there for the delivery. I spent three nights sleeping on a two person love seat at night, and bagging sand for flood control by day. When the waters finally subsided, Linda and Nathan went to her parents while I went home to disinfect our well. The flood of ‘72 remains the most costly and devastating natural disaster to hit the Southern Tier in our lifetime. 

Nathan entered this world with a flourish, and has been keeping us on our toes ever since. Tonight, I am grateful not just for his dramatic entry, but for his faithful life. Yesterday I was able to again play bass for the worship team for the first time in months. I stood in the background while he led in singing and prayers, and was amazed once more at the depth of his passion for Christ, and his wisdom in leadership. Happy birthday, Nate! We continue to be proud of you and blessed by you as we watch you loving Christ, your wife, and your daughters, with wisdom and strength.

I finish tonight with the wisdom of one of the greatest of the Church fathers:

When you sit down to eat, pray. When you eat bread, do so thanking Him for being so generous to you. If you drink wine, be mindful of Him who has given it to you for your pleasure and as a relief in sickness. When you dress, thank Him for His kindness in providing you with clothes. When you look at the sky and the beauty of the stars, throw yourself at God’s feet and adore Him who in His wisdom has arranged things in this way. Similarly, when the sun goes down and when it rises, when you are asleep or awake, give thanks to God, who created and arranged all things for your benefit, to have you know, love and praise their Creator.