We’re rejoicing over grandbaby number six! Back in April, we were on baby watch for our fifth grandbaby and were trying to work around Easter and another granddaughter’s birthday party in Sarasota.
“Our plan” was for Nolan to be born Easter Sunday afternoon so we could travel to Charlotte the first part of the week and celebrate there, and then travel to Sarasota for the birthday. That would allow me to get through Easter Sunday.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday came, and no baby. Nolan decided to come Friday, April 21! So we travelled to Sarasota Thursday, had the party Saturday, left Saturday afternoon, got to Charlotte around midnight, and to the hospital the next morning to meet Nolan and celebrate with his parents.
Fast-forward to July. Rachel was due with her third baby around Aug. 1, and we already had vacation commitments July 15-22. My wife was committed to work Sunday-Tuesday upon our return, and I had commitments that week as well.
So my request to my daughter was, “Please don’t have this baby until the week of July 31. That would really help our schedule.”
We got through vacation week with no baby coming, and travelled home on Saturday. Amy went to work early Sunday morning, and I pulled into the church parking lot around 8:20 a.m. looking forward to preaching from Psalm 123.
One of my points that morning had to do with fixing our focus totally on God when we come into worship. Are we truly worshipping God, or is our mind wandering into what we’re doing after church, what’s ahead next week, etc.?
The Psalmist wrote, “Unto you, I lift my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens … so our eyes look to the Lord our God” (Psalm 123:1, 2).
About that time, I got a text from Rachel saying her water broke and she was headed to the hospital. Now I’m distracted and I have to preach on not being distracted!
We knew it was a boy, but they kept the name a secret. So, by text, as we anticipated the arrival, Rachel kept us posted, and announced that baby was born at 2:53 p.m.
Now the texts really started flying. Stats? Name? We were kept in suspense.
So I sent, “Time to guess the weight. 8 pounds, 3 ounces.”
Rebecca texted, “6 pounds, 10 ounces.”
Jonathan guessed, “7 pounds, 4 ounces, 19 inches, Chance Perry Hollingsworth.
Ruth said, “7 pounds, 14 ounces.”
I said, “Great name!”
Finally, we received a picture of scales reading “7 pounds, 2 ounces.”
But what’s the name?
Rachel texted us a picture of this beautiful baby boy.
Then Jonathan texted, “What do we call him?”
Rebecca texted, “Lil’ bro.”
Ruth texted, “Poor little nameless baby.”
Finally we got the name: Connor Perry Hollingsworth.
Later, I asked Rachel what Connor meant. According to the all-knowing internet, Connor is an Irish name meaning “strong-willed” or “wise,” or “hound lover.”
How interesting. Just like Nolan, Connor, the strong-willed one, entered this world when it was his time to appear and not one moment sooner, regardless of our calendar preferences or schedule requests. Connor will be a strong one. He’ll have to stand his ground with two older sisters more than likely bossing him around.
His timing reminded me of what Jesus told His mother at the wedding at Cana. The wine ran out and Mary came to Jesus and said, “They have no wine.”
Jesus’s response included this statement: “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). Jesus was on a different clock than his mother.
No matter how long the wait, God’s timing is always best, whether it’s a baby’s arrival or waiting for something else. We’re just thrilled he’s here!
Dr. David L. Chancey is pastor, McDonough Road Baptist Church. The church family meets at 352 McDonough Road, Fayetteville, Ga, near McCurry Park. Join them for Bible study at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:55 a.m. Visit them online at www.mcdonoughroad.or and like them on Facebook.
