Wonderful News

On Friday Julyan and I became first time grandparents. Our daughter-in-law gave birth to a little boy.

The joy, the praise and sense of wonder are immense – impossible to keep to myself. After a few texts to family and friends, my phone didn’t stop pinging all day with shared celebration as our news spread like wildfire.

It was so easy and natural to tell everyone I met – the neighbours, my hairdresser and even the man who came with a double glazing quote.

Wonderful Club

Now I also have the joy of belonging to a new club! Fellow grandparents can’t stop smiling to me, giving knowing looks that communicate, “You’re now one of us.” It seems looking upon and holding the baby grandchild has exercised a Granny devotion that has initiated me into the club.

Anticipating future granny duties I went to pick up a changing mat from a woman whose grandchild had outgrown it. Of course, I told her the news before I went. This total stranger treated me like an old friend. Then a car drove up with a man waving from the window and shouting his congratulations. Yes, it was her husband. The news of new club members had spread and brought much joy.

Recover the Wonder

This new experience has got me thinking. As Christians, let’s recover the wonder of gospel good news with a joy that makes it hard to keep it to ourselves. A devotion born of the Holy Spirit unites us with a worldwide movement, the church, where total strangers become more than friends. They are family in Christ. How wonderful is that!