SPILLING THE BEANS

365 Days of Thanksliving — Day 141

Sunday was a hoot after church. A few friends were poking around, quite inquisitive about my musings from Saturday night when I wrote that my internal spaces were playing host to the "full spectrum of human emotion." I mentioned I was lamenting one minute and praising God with a joyous smile the next.

For the curiously minded, the wait is over. I’m spilling the beans on both ends of that spectrum—or, perhaps better stated, the circle of life.

The Lament: Sadly, the congregation I serve suffered a loss early Saturday morning. Mary lived a long, full life of 80 years and was loved by many. I broke the news Sunday morning, and the reaction was universal: "She was such a beautiful soul." She had been married for sixty-one years—a staggering, beautiful feat—and raised four children, though one sadly passed away much too young.

Life goes by too quickly, doesn’t it? Some see many revolutions around the sun, while others have their time cut short. I can only imagine that when Mary closed her earthly eyes, she awoke in heaven to be greeted by her son. That is my hope, anyway. The circle of life is a heavy thing.

I have a son of my own: Colby Allen. He never made it to our world, passing away in utero at sixteen weeks. It was a devastating day, but we held him so we could experience our son, if only for a brief moment.

Here is the odd part I think about often: had Colby been born, our oldest daughter wouldn't have been born, at least not to us. It was only after that loss that my wife became pregnant with our first girl. Her arrival made way for two more sisters, and now they are grown, married, or living halfway across the world.

Saturday brought that circle back around. The Joy: just hours after hearing of Mary’s passing, our oldest called to "spill the beans." She is pregnant again, due on Christmas Eve. My wife and I are going to be grandparents again!

I had a fun talk with my daughter tonight. After making sure I wouldn't jeopardize her career by talking about it (IYKYK), I jokingly suggested that if it’s a boy, they shouldn't name him Jesus, and if it's a girl, maybe stay away from Mary Elizabeth. I thought it was comedy gold; she gave me the digital equivalent of a blank stare. Apparently, the "Dad Joke" remains a lonely craft.

But did you hear? I’m going to be a grandpa again! Wahoo!!!

In one hour, Saturday, I was consoling a friend over the loss of her mother, and in the next, my wife was tugging on my arm in the parking lot to tell me the news. The circle of life.

We praise God for good lives lived for Him, and we praise Him for bringing new life into this world. Solomon nailed it in Ecclesiastes:

there is a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.

I’m thankful for that circle—for those we honor, like Mary, and for the little ones who haven't yet arrived. You were put on this planet to love and be loved, and that is the loveliest part of the whole ride.

Until I see you again, my friends. Be blessed!