Pastor’s November Message
by Reverend Don Hodson

Last month Kathy and I became members of that group known as grandparents club. When you have a child you realize that one day this might happen, but when it does it is really something. For many years I've looked at the pictures of other people’s grandchildren and vowed that I would never foster my pictures upon others if I became a grandparent — I was wrong! There are many aspects to this of course. You are pleased to have your child have a good marriage and have a family of his own. You are pleased to watch the next generation emerge and take its place in the order of things. But the best part is becoming very personally reacquainted with the profound miracle of life in the presentation of a brand new baby and to be related is another plus.
Babies are really special. I believe it was President Truman who said, “Babies are wonderful because they come freshest from the hand of God.” Isn’t it true? The birth of a child is absolutely miraculous. I can’t understand how some folks can believe that life is merely an accident and that there isn’t a benevolent God behind it all, creating and still creating.
Our Lord recognized the significance of little ones when he asked the children to come to him and then used them as models for the Kingdom of God. I suppose he admired the way children trust and have faith.
A final thought concerns the kind of world we are leaving our children. In many ways the world is in pretty sad shape, but that doesn't mean there isn’t reason for hope and there are many things we can do to make the world a better place. We must never forget that it is God’s world and God is still Lord of this world as well as the next.
So I end this message praising God for the miracle of birth and enthralled with the wonder of it all. What an appropriate time to read a psalm of thanksgiving!