Children’s Children

July 30, 2020

God’s blessings often come from close to home. Last week, we had three dying trees taken down; yesterday we began to clean things up, chunking up the trunks and collecting the branches to be picked up by the village crew. It is hot, backbreaking work, especially for a geezer and his bride. Enter Nathan. No, not that one...our grandson—“Little Nathan,” although. not so little anymore. He’s more than halfway through his twelfth year, and let me tell you—that kid knows how to work! He’s especially fond of the tractor, so while I chunked up the trunks, he operated the equipment, gathering the chunks and stacking them to be split, gathering up branches and taking them to the roadside, and even dragging the stump up the bank after it had rolled into the creek. It took a bit of work, but he got it done.

After about four hours, Linda and I were pretty well knackered, but he wanted to finish, so he kept picking up branches and gathering the chunks while I worked on the backhoe and Linda got supper ready. 

The Bible tells us that one of the blessings of walking with God is seeing it play out in the lives not only of your children, but your grandchildren. God’s promises aren’t like candy in a vending machine—put in your money, pull the lever, and out pops the desired result. It’s a lot of work, prayer, and mercy, but it’s still a promise.

“Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, 

Who walks in His ways. 

When you eat the labor of your hands, 

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you. 

Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine 

In the very heart of your house, 

Your children like olive plants 

All around your table. 

Behold, thus shall the man be blessed 

Who fears the LORD. 

The LORD bless you out of Zion, 

And may you see the good of Jerusalem 

All the days of your life. 

Yes, may you see your children’s children. 

Peace be upon Israel!” —Psalm 128:1-6 NKJV

I am thankful tonight to be recipient of this family blessing in the form of our grandson Nathan.