3/22/09

A very powerful force

He is neither the Great-grandfather nor the Grandfather, but rather the father. This man was 90 years young when this photo was taken and plans to father children until he is 100. I can not even fathom his optimism. When others are dying all around him, HE wants more children. Strange, isn't it? Well, not so strange. There was a man in a similar situation in the Bible; lets read from the book of Genesis.

Gen 15:1 After these things the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Don't be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
Gen 15:2 Abram said, "Lord Yahweh, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?"
Gen 15:3 Abram said, "Behold, to me you have given no seed: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir."
Gen 15:4 Behold, the word of Yahweh came to him, saying, "This man will not be your heir, but he who will come forth out of your own body will be your heir."
Gen 15:5 Yahweh brought him outside, and said, "Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." He said to Abram, "So shall your seed be."
Gen 15:6 He believed in Yahweh; and he reckoned it to him for righteousness. WEB
Abram believed he would be childless, but God had other ideas. If someone told me that I would be a father again, I would simply not believe it. Abram did and Yahweh reckoned that belief as righteousness. The man in the photo and Abram have one thing in common; they had belief that it could happen and belief is a very powerful force indeed. As for me, well, I don't think I would have the patience to do it all over again. Besides, the thought of all those dirty diapers... whew!