I don’t know about you, but when I hear of new birth, I get excited. Babies are God’s gift of promise to us. And, when the baby is flesh and blood, it’s even more delightful.

Welcome to the world Benjamin Siccardi, my newest grandson. God shared him with us at 2:10 this morning, weighing in at seven pounds, three ounces, and stretching 20.6 inches. Benjamin, Mom and Dad and brothers Derek and Timothy are reportedly doing fine, and Grandpa can’t wait to take a road trip to Massachusetts {not that I needed an excuse to take a road trip}.

This is actually grandchild No. 16, but the novelty never wears off. We have No. 17 expected next month and great-grandchild No. 1 in July. Yet it never gets old or routine.

As I alluded above, children are a gift from God … whatever the circumstances. They are a promise of the future, linking the past with the present. If you believe God is the author of life, you have to believe He has a plan. Benjamin is His latest plan.

It’s hard to imagine an only child like me and a two-child family like Karen’s could produce five of our own and now 16 soon to be 17 grandchildren and a great-grandchild. We have been blessed … maybe not in material ways, but knowing our God has entrusted this family with care of His own. My only regret is Karen is not here physically to relish this moment.

With each of my children, I lifted them up to God in thanksgiving. With each of my grandchildren, I did the same. To Benjamin I utter the identical prayer. Lord, I thank you for this gift. Give my children the same strength and wisdom You blessed me with to raise him as Your special child, with potential and possibilities way beyond their belief. They will not be perfect and neither was I. He will not be perfect and neither were they. But, let us all remember whose child he is … Yours. May Benjamin grow as a reflection of the One who made him all the days of his life.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Children are grand but grandchildren are grander.