I have a lump in my throat as I think back to this past Sunday morning and to the deep satisfaction and joy I felt as I sang a duet with Ken Harris, one of my very favorite people who is also a tenor in my church choir. His beautiful grandson was baptized Sunday, and for the occasion he asked if he and I could sing a song of mine called “Precious,” based on a beautiful text from the 42nd chapter of Isaiah: “See I have redeemed you- I have called you by name- you are mine. You are precious in my sight and I love you.”
I have now forgotten exactly when I composed this piece- but I very vividly remember the most memorable occasion for which it was sung – the dual baptism of my two nephews, Kaj and Henry in Decorah, maybe 6 years ago. The service happened at Matt and Randi’s- actually at the beautiful home out in the country that they were renting at the time. Most of the guys in the family- Dad, Matt, Nathan, Steve, and Scott – joined in singing this piece, and it turned out to be one of those beautiful moments that you never ever forget.
I was certainly thinking of that day – and those wonderful boys – as Ken and I sang “Precious” this past Sunday morning, with his brand new grandson just a few feet away, about to be baptized. It was Ken’s way of saying to this tiny boy “I love you and I will do whatever I can to keep you safe and healthy and happy.” Actually, although the refrain is what people most remember about the song, I think some of the most important words for an occasion like this are from the last verse: “when you pass through the waters, I will be care – enfolding you in my tender care. . . and when you pass through the fires you will be untouched by the flames – for whatever assails you, my love remains the same.” What I love about Isaiah’s words is that they in no way offer a sugar-coated view of the world and our lives. The prophet acknowledges the trials of our lives, but reminds us that we do not face those trials alone.
Who knows what is ahead for little boy. . . lots and lots of joys, we hope, but we know better than to assume that will be the case. All we can know for sure is that he is loved. And I dare say that nobody loves him more than his proud grandpa Ken, who loves him so much that he had to sing him a song about it!