You've Got the Power, Grandpa!

You’ve Got the Power, Grandpa!”
by Ken Miller

Summer sun warmed the yard while a cool breeze kept the day from becoming uncomfortable. Life is good, I thought, especially since two of my grandkiddies just arrived for a visit.
After being freed from the tangle of seat belts and car seats, Kendrick charged to the house for some juice and Taylonee raced past grandpa and headed straight for the swing set uncle Mike had built. Ignoring the slide, she grabbed a swing and called, “Grandpa, push me!” I was already sitting on my scooter (thanks, Ted!) so I cranked the speed control to halfway between the picture of the turtle and the picture of the rabbit. Born To Be Wild, don’t cha know.
I stopped that mighty machine near the A-frame support. Two spastic steps put my feet securely in position. A firm grip on the frame with my left hand provided the stability I needed to allow my right hand to push. “Grandpa, push me!” A gentle nudge got her started, and after a couple of serious nudges, she was airborne, soaring into the wild blue yonder. As her swing began its return to earth, she called out, “Grandpa, you’ve got the power!” My first reaction was to smile and stand a little straighter. In her world, at that moment, I did have the power. (I wanted to ask her what she wanted for Christmas.)
Then I thought, “Power? What power?” I have no bulging biceps with which to box a heavy bag. I have no protruding pectorals with which to bench press 500 lbs. My quads could never carry me over the triathlon finish line. I don’t even have the power to cross the room without my walker! So what kind of power does grandpa have?
In chapter 24, verse 15, Joshua gave the Israelites the power to choose. Jesus gives us the power to choose to open the door to Him in Rev. 3:20. John Ortberg invites us to exercise our power of choice when he wrote, If You Want To Walk on Water, You Have To Get Out Of The Boat.
She was right. I did have the power. No--wait. WE have the power. You and I, beloved of our Father, we have the power to choose. We can hand down a verdict or extend a helping hand. We can condemn or forgive. We can turn away or get involved. As the saying goes, we can curse the darkness or light a candle. Today, let us choose to be the light of the world (Math. 5:14).