“Five pounds and healthy!  Spread the word!”  That was the text message I received from our son-in-law, Jeremy, yesterday (Thursday, January 31, 2008) at 3:00 p.m, within moments of Grant Andrew Baker entering our world in
Memphis, Tennessee.

I confess – though I was part of a conference call (which thankfully I wasn’t leading) – I did spread the word, texting several friends and family members.  Jonathan’s text to me read, “Way to go Grandpa Palmer. You da man.”

Five pounds and healthy!  What a difference from April 10, 2007, when we received a phone call from Jeremy telling us Amy had delivered a son – stillborn.  We were stunned – shocked – saddened – grief stricken.  Baby Andrew went to heaven before he cried.

Jeremy and Amy told me this morning, “We are incredibly grateful to God. . . thankful that our baby is pink and not blue.”  Just to hear Grant cry brought tears to Jeremy’s eyes. They are thanking God for every sign of health, including a messy diaper. 

Great-grandma Audrey Clay is beside herself with joy and pride. She said, “I am so excited I can hardly stand it.”  When Amy was born, Audrey stepped outside her house and screamed as loudly as she could, “I am a grandmother.”  Because of the excruciating cold weather, she didn’t step outside yesterday, but she screamed inside. She told me, “If I had a helicopter, I would have flown it down to Memphis and landed it on the roof of the hospital, and not even ask for permission.”

“Spread the word,” Jeremy told me.  That’s why I’m writing this blog.

Spread the word!  That’s what the Scriptures call us to do. The little boy who was born in
Bethlehem to a carpenter and his young wife is now the resurrected Lord. He is our Savior, our Healer, our Baptizer in the Spirit, and our soon coming King.  We tell everyone, by our words and actions, about the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  We’re spreading the word!

I’m spreading the word tonight at the National Men’s Convention in Branson – then Bethany and I are off to Memphis to join up with Grandma Debbie Palmer. Tomorrow, the Lord willing, I get to hold “five pounds and healthy Grant.”

God has blessed our family yet again!  The spiritual heritage Debbie and I have received is incredibly rich – second to none.  With Grant’s birth, this heritage has begun to be passed to down to yet another generation. 

Grant is one more great reason for me to finish strong!  By God’s grace, I will!

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