his name was al.
he spoke with an irish tongue, laughed with a thousand wrinkles and wept with a red spotted hankie.
we sang for him and the other adults, my sister and i, and he held aiden. and when Amazing Grace struck the ivories, it struck a chord and i saw him reach deep in pocket and pull out the red and blow hard and aiden just sat on this 80-year-old's lap, still as if he were grandpa.
and al told me later of a God of second chances. of a God who'd watched him work his way through family, away from births and babies and diapers, of a God who'd seen him home late at night, away at dawn, of a God who'd watched him lose chance to smell baby skin near.
and now, this God of Amazing Grace had given him aiden for a few songs. this God who'd seen everything. this God whose love covers wrong like red hankies cover tears. "after all these years, i get to hold a baby," al croaked.
and aiden cooed. and prodigal-love rejoiced.
18 comments:
That's beautiful Em, what a gracious and loving God we serve. Isn't it so sweet to watch a little baby bless someone so much, and they don't even know. Praying for you guys lots as you make your big move. I know we've only ever seen each other in person once, but I feel like we've spent a lot more time together then that, thanks for sharing your heart so generously, you've been a blessing to me :)
oh, emily... this makes me cry .
Amazing Grace is one of my favourite songs.
second and third and fourth chances.
and what a beautiful man. I wish him peace.
Beautiful words. Beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing both with us. God is so good.
How sweet the sound. How sweet, your words.
This brought the tears. Oh what a loving Father we have.
This touched my heart. . . God blessed me through you today.
Al looks so deeply moved - it must have meant a lot to him that you would let him hold your son
baby smooth flesh held by wrinkles and hankies. there is hardly a better gift than that.except grace that is pretty amazing.
Your baby is beautiful Em.
I have a similar older man in our life, and seeing him holding our babies and nurture our older children is a blessing to Trever and I as well as to him.
Family presents itself in mysterious ways.
<><
The gift of a child soul bringing the Almighty to lap. Isn't this how He came, so small and unassuming?
What a sweet blog you have! Thanks for stopping by A&B - nice to meet ya! :)
Oh emily. So beautiful. I love this so much my heart might explode.
Thank you.
Thank you!
I have a big fat lump in my throat. The beauty of second chances. Sighing.
A beautiful portrait Emily.
Your writing brings shivers, (of the good kind :), tears and smiles, all in equal measure.
xx
I'm drinking it in. Prodigal-love. God is so lavish.
Praying for the sale of your house.
What a beautiful glimpse of redemption. This story and image have stayed with me all day. The mystery and tenderness of God's loving ways awe me. Thank you for sharing.
What a powerful moment, that of connection, of love, of humanity, of spirits linked in harmony. You capture it so lovingly here too. You have a way of bringing soul and spirit into your writing that is rare.
I, too, hope we meet someday.
oh so beautiful. made me catch my breath.
Post a Comment