My Grandfather's Watch

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Written by Melissa Porter

My Grandfather received a gold pocket watch from my Daddy for Christmas one year when he had turned 50 years old. It was solid gold and had the number 50 engraved on it. My Grandmother asked to see it. He was like a little child with a new toy. “Don’t drop it, don’t touch it, and don’t scratch it” he instructed over and over. I remember him shaking nervously as she admired it. Finally, she rendered it back over to him and he gave a deep sigh of relief.

My Grandparents had always been poor dirt farmers, plowing with the same horse they had when my parents married. I was even pulled on a sled through the pasture as a child by that same horse. The horse’s name was Betsy which became Ol' Bess later on as she died at the age of 28. Yes, even in the 60s, they thought it too extravagant of a purchase to get a tractor to do the plowing.

He had never had anything so precious and expensive. He had a special stand made for it, instead of carrying it in his pocket; he left it on his bedside table. He wound it faithfully every morning and evening before he went to bed. When he went to town the gold watch was not there for him to show for others to admire. The craftsmanship with which it was made was not shared with others seeking to find such a fine watch. No, only those of us permitted into his bedroom to nap on his bed at times were able to enjoy the ticking which lulled us to sleep. Sometimes I would sneak and pick it up to handle it.

When my Grandmother died, my sister, being the administrator of the estate, asked if there was anything that I wanted. I asked for the gold watch. Today it sits on my dresser to remind me, that we have received something more precious than gold. Some of us have received something more precious than gold because we have received the Holy Ghost. We may wind it up with prayer every morning and every night but never take it to town to share with anyone else for fear that they might mar our precious gift. What use is something precious if you cannot share it for fear of it being marred or lost? So every time I see this watch I remember that my gift from God was made to be shared and pray for the boldness to tell it and show it wherever I go.

Excerpt from the book in progress "Let’s Don’t Skip the Miracle" by Melissa Porter.