Here’s a photo of my grandson, Harrison, that I took late Sunday afternoon in his back yard in Greensboro. His mom and dad had planned a little pre-Valentines getaway, and PapaJon was gladly this young man’s companion and caregiver for the weekend. My grandson loves to go outdoors and enjoy his yard. It’s nicely fenced in with neighbors‘ homes visible on either side through the narrow openings in the fences.
My daughter and son-in-law were attracted to the house because of the location, and the fenced in yard. You see, before they had Harrison, they first had Quinn. Quinn is the family dog who is Harrison’s guard and protector. She needs a fenced in yard to run and roam and explore in. Ditto for Harrison as well. But Sunday afternoon I noticed my grandson a bit hesitant to follow the example of his canine companion. In the far back corner of the lot there is an area the juts out, fenced in like a three-sided peninsula. It’s maybe 4 feet wide and 10 feet in depth.
So I coaxed my grandson to climb with me into the little fenced-in section in the corner of their back yard. From the air it must look like a fence chimney jutting out, above and beyond the rest of the fence-line. Once we were there, I was able to capture his first glimpsing of what was on the other side of the fence with the help of my smartphone. Google maps says what he saw was Lake Jeannette Road. And while his vocabulary is still limited to that of a child not-yet-two, I distinctly heard him say: “Wow!” It was the kind of “Wow!” that is extended and expanded to communicate awe and wonder. You know, sort of breathy and elongated…..
Then I reached down to lift him up so he could see over the fence. The sky was turning blue on the horizon. Fading sunlight and a cool breeze greeted both of our faces. Later, when we’re back inside and thawing out, I began to think how this child I was holding in my arms was born less than 10 days before the pandemic began its lockdown on the world. I paused to consider what a significant influence it has had on of the first two years of his life.
But it’s the memory of his peering through the crack in that fence, on the edge of his backyard frontier, that will stay with me the rest of my days. The sound of his little voice, as he said: “Wow” will stay etched in my memory as well. An impromptu affirmation of faith offered on the Day of Resurrection, and preacher-grandpa, by the grace of God, there to witness it.
Peering through his own crack in another fence, the Apostle Paul offered his own witness to the house churches scattered across the ancient city of Corinth, two millennia ago.
For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection,
a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality]
face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as
I have been fully known [by God]. I Cor 13:12 ( Amplified )
Wooooooow! …… How Sweet the Sound!!!!
Jon (the Methodist)
If you would like to view past editions of How Sweet the Sound, follow this link: https://sounddistrictnc.org/category/from-the-ds/