My grandson, yet to be named, came into the world at 1.00am (EST) on the 10th of March, 2011. He is the son of my first son and his spouse, also first daughter of my co- worker. He weighted 3.1kg and was so healthy that the hospital discharged him hours later. When he was brought to our humble of home, the all family welcomed him. We just stared at him and fondled him till late night, many of us, including myself fell asleep and slept on cold concrete floor.
My daughters, now aunties of the baby argued over who would do his nappies. Their brother, not the father of the baby, who came late when baby was brought home demanded that all of us who wanted to touch the baby should have our hands thoroughly rinsed before we hold the baby. There was joy in house and all of a sudden those joy and happiness demanded rules to guard them. While those activities go on, my grandson slept innocently and peacefully in his bed, trusting fully well that his parents will protect him, feed him, guard him and keep him safe from all harm and danger.
As Christians and belonging to the Lutheran faith, we reflect on the great reformer Martin Luther who theologizes such human experience in his writings. He writes elsewhere, ‘ook at a baby as an example to trust God in your life. When every other persons and things seem to experience turbulence, the baby in his/her mother’s lab trusts that it will be fed and taken care of regardless of whatever else happens around him. It sleeps so confidently. Do the same. Trust in Lord and everything will come to pass.’ Jesus teaches us too. Look at the birds in the skies, do they care and worry about tomorrow? They seem to soar as high as they fly, grace over the creation beneath as smoothly as they can, and seem to fear no one, worry nothing and forget that there is tomorrow. God feeds them. God cares for them. How important are we (human beings)? Very important, indeed, so important that Christ gave his life for us, in order for us to trust in him that whatever else would not he give us, if he gave us his life. What else is important that he will withhold, but to let go his life? Nothing, he let go his life, whatever else is so less important or nothing compared to what he already gave up. For this reason, we are so important he cares for us every day.
The birth of my grandson does not only help continue my family, tribe and clan, but brings a joy that I cannot compare to what other earthly things can give. It is a joy that a life is given to the family to reflect that God is so gracious that his salvation of new life is experienced right here. Rebirth and new life we are born into in our baptism is experienced here in the birth of a new life. He is born, though of earthly parents, the new baby brings forth new life from God. With this new life also brings responsibility to the family to remind of ourselves that new life in Christ is also a life of responsibility. It reminds us of God’s care and love. Despite the troubles of the world, we are to lay confidently in God’s arms of protection, caring, and love and believe God is in-charge.
With joy I receive my grandson, and with responsibility I become a grandfather. I know and trust in all this , God is with me.
