The Old Man Held
The old man had a hold on the young lad who lay in his arms. A vested interest he had as it was his grandson who’d entered this world a tad too early and undeveloped his little lungs were.
Back in the day doc did not delay so come to the house he did. Placing the newborn babe in a box near the fireplace, he gave strict instructions to keep him warm. Not expecting the little thing to live much longer, the doctor left.
The old man listened in as he was next of kin and since he had little else to do these days, he took the reins and held tightly to that which was in his charge. Not only did the old man hold, but continued to carry and rest with the little one in his arms for days on end. Day after day he held the wrappedup bundle not only in blankets but in love as their hearts found rhythm. Morning, noon, and night beat the day away until… Until one day, the doctor returned only to be surprised by what he saw. He saw that the little one just born still had a heart beat much in sync with the one who held.
Someone had taught the old man to hold tightly to that which was his and he did. Never weary was he of holding the little one and as the babe grew—he somehow knew.
“All through my life, I always felt a real special connection to grandpa,” said my dad one day. “I was told he came to hold when the hour of need arose.” Cared for the little one was. Held the little one was.
I know not what this old man did in life. I know not his status, his income, his dreams, his desires. I only know he held the little babe who grew up to be my dad. I suppose there’s nothing more important than holding well that which is in our charge.
I cannot boast of the riches this old man gained. I cannot boast of the education he was fortunate to have if any at all. I cannot boast of anything other than the heart connection he made with dad which helped to keep dad alive until he could grow up and be the dad, the grandpa and the great grandpa which carried forward the generations that came after.
And so, it goes—the generations which follow go forward in order to hold those who will come after—all because someone before them held fast.
I wonder if he ever pondered what the Almighty did through him. Wouldn’t it be fun to hear God ask my great grandpa— “So what did you do with your life?”
His response could simply be, “Not only did I behold my grandson, but I held him.”
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). Way back in Deut. 10:23 it was spoken: “You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.” May Christ hold fast and may you know well—you are held.
Amen.
