As new parents, we can’t even count how many hours have passed with us just staring at this new baby. It has been a joy to gaze at her. But if it’s possible, it has been an even greater joy for our parents. Hannah’s grandparents have a magnificent obsession with this little girl. (Trust me, they took turns staying with us for 5 weeks!) In fact, seeing the way they interacted with Hannah left us wondering, “Who are these people?!?” I mean, what happened to the guys whose joy in life was disciplining us. Growing up, I was convinced that my dad had a secret career as a drill sergeant. And now, he was soft like putty. If Hannah so much as whimpered, he panicked. In fact, all four of them were ready to discipline Shainu and I all over again for letting their grandchild shed so much as a tear. That’s the joy of being a grandparent. You get to love and support and celebrate and cheer this new being.
Well, it has been a great joy watching 7 Mile Road’s grandmother, the Forestdale Church do the same.
Back in November, I had a chance to preach our vision at Forestdale Church and I began my sermon by saying, “Forestdale church, you’re about to become grandparents!” Over 6 years ago, Forestdale birthed 7 Mile Road Boston. And now, 7 Mile Road Boston is about to birth….us. Grandma Forestdale.
Last week, I attended Forestdale’s annual meeting with Matt Kruse (pastor of 7 Mile Road Boston). Seeing the way they received my update on the church plant – it reminded me of the way Hannah’s grandparents received her. Big smiles. Warm embraces. Excitement. Celebration. Generosity. Joy. Joy. Joy.
Before I left, Paul McPheeters (pastor of Forestdale Church) even handed me a check from the church for the planting of 7 Mile Road Philadelphia. I’m so grateful that 7 Mile Road is not an orphan trying to raise herself. She is the daughter and granddaughter of 2 Gospel believing, Jesus loving, lost seeking, culture redeeming churches. Thanks be to God for the saints at Forestdale Church.
by Ajay Thomas
Ajay lives in Philadelphia with his wife Shainu and their kids Hannah and Micah. He is responsible for preaching and vision as a pastor at Seven Mile Road.