Forerunner

"Way of Holiness"

photo source

A highway shall be there, and a road,

And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.

The unclean shall not pass over it,

But it shall be for others.

Whoever walks the road, although a fool,

Shall not go astray.

- Isaiah 35:8

My grandson Forerunner turns four years old today.

Four years ago today this precious boy was born.

The first born son of my first born son, he has a special place in my heart.

Each time his birthday comes around, I remember the circumstances of his birth.

It was the year 2008. Three weeks before Forerunner was born, Ernie and I arrived back in our country, after living in Chiang Mai, Thailand for one year.

Twelve months was not really such a long time to be away; yet when we returned, there were many changes awaiting us. First Born son had gotten married earlier that year, and we had a brand new daughter in law living with us. And she was expecting to give birth within a few weeks.



It was a time of adjusting to the changes, and at the same time, picking up from where we had left off a year ago.

Our old bedroom was destroyed by termites while we were gone, so whatever could be saved was stored in plastic crates piled up in our dining area, while the room was being renovated.

In the meantime, Ernie and I began using our guest room in the house next door.

We also had to remove Obedient One's things from her bedroom  so her room could be given to the new baby. Again her things were stored in plastic crates.

Our suitcases and unopened boxes of our accumulated stuff during our stay in Thailand were also in another part of the house.

I needed time to assess and evaluate and set my priorities. Sort out the clutter. There were so many voices calling out to me, things demanding to be attended to.

At the same time, we were re-entering family life where each of us had our own share of experiences; and things were definitely no longer the same.

I didn't know where to begin.

So many things had to be put on hold, set aside, kept in storage (and I don't mean this in just a literal sense), and I focused on the more important business of looking after the needs of First Born and his wife, who were about to become first-time parents. We welcomed God given into our hearts, and wanted her to know we valued her, and make her feel the love of our family.

& & & & &

The night before Forerunner was born, I was with God given  in the labor room of Riverside Hospital, coaching her in the Lamaze method of natural childbirth. I have great admiration for my daughter in law. She is a brave, and highly capable young woman. After eleven hours of painful labor, her doctor decided to have the baby delivered by C-section.

Less than an hour later, at around 5 a.m., Matthew Miguel, whom I have named Forerunner, was born (read my blog post about it - Unto Us a Son is Born).

My first grandson, only a few hours old, four years ago

His grandfather was outside the nursery viewing window, beaming with pride over Forerunner.

Ernie's cellphone was full of many pictures taken of our first grandson during those first few hours of his life.

A month after Forerunner was born, Ernie was unexpectedly called home to heaven.

For this reason, Forerunner's birthday will always have a special place in my memories.

I write this post with tears in my eyes...

Eyes wet with tears of remembering, yet glistening with hope and joy.

No one but my heavenly Father knows the love that I feel in my heart for you, dear Forerunner.

You came into my life at a time of transition and change.

How I long to keep you close to my heart, to nurture you, to teach you deep spiritual truths... but of course, I can only do so much.

But my family is a major theme in my daily intercession before God's throne of grace.

You are always in my prayers dear Forerunner.

I ask God to make you a young man who will be as a John the Baptist and an Elijah. 

John was a forerunner for the coming of Jesus as the Messiah.

Elijah was a forerunner for the outpouring of God's glory.

Today, there is an Elijah generation that is being prepared for the coming of the King of Kings.

This Elijah generation is the forerunner generation that will prepare the way for the day of the Lord.

Rise up, dear grandson, to your calling. Live up to your name.

Prepare a highway for our Lord! 

Come with brokenness and tears! 

Be part of a generation that will fear His name!

I decree and declare that you will be part of the end-time prophetic generation who will set themselves apart for God's kingdom purposes, and determine in their hearts not to be defiled by this world.

Today, on your fourth birthday, Forerunner, I want you to know that I love you dearly... and continue to believe in God's promises for my generations. 

Love,
Nana

celebrating Forerunner's 4th birthday with the whole family

Here is my song for Forerunner on his fourth birthday. This is one of my top favorites!


Glorious
by Christ for the Nations

Let's build a  highway for the King
Let's make His praise beautiful
Let's build a highway for the King
Let's make His praise glorious

With brokenness we come oh Lord
A generation to seek Your face
Preparing the way
For the king to come

Let's build a highway for the king
Let's make His praise beautiful
Let's build a highway for the King
Let's make His praise glorious

With repentance we come oh Lord
A generation to fear Your name
Preparing the way
For the King to come


Come and make our praise
Glorious

Make our praise

Glorious...

To You our only King

All the nations sing

And tell of Your great love

Lifted high upon our praise

Our voices raise

To make your praise

So glorious...

Every crooked way will be made straight
Every crooked way will be made straight

Every valley lifted up

Every mountain brought low

For the King to come...

You are holy...

Make us holy...

Let our praise be true...