The Promise of Life
As we were waiting in line for the elevator in a retirement home where we were visiting with a friend, my 3 month old son was asleep in his mother’s arms. Before we knew it, we were surrounded by some of the residents of the building.
“Oh look at the little darling!”
“Girl or boy?”
“Look at those fat little cheeks!”
They pinched, they patted, they fussed-over and they kissed. As the elevator doors opened, we all got on. When the door shut, our baby, the focus of so many comments, opened his eyes, and you would have thought that he had just done something that no infant had ever done before. “Look, he’s opening his eyes!” exclaimed one of the ladies.
A gentleman reached down and patted him gently on his head. “Mine are all grown now,” he sighed. Another lady leaned forward and kissed him on his cheek, causing him to smile. Everyone laughed and began to kid each other about being that age again. We had a wonderful ride to the fifth floor.
Later, I CONSIDERED what had happened that day. I felt as though we had been to a party, and so we were. We were at a brief but wonderful party, a party where we were all celebrating life. Most of the guests at the party were concluding theirs; our baby had a full life ahead of him. This made them very happy, and so they wanted to celebrate. They wanted to laugh, touch and kiss this little blessing. For the promise of life was there at their fingertips and they rejoiced!
CONSIDER the joy of new life and a fresh start, both of which are part of God’s promise for His people. Shall we have a party and celebrate?
“I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Rev. Wendell Mettey
December 1974
Revised 7/24/2013
