Thursday, July 5, 2007

Dearest God,

The baptism was scheduled for 8:00 am but it was raining at 6:30 a.m. Rain-filled clouds hung overhead. We called the in laws and told them we had to reschedule. There was no way we could take our 86 year old grandma to the ocean to stand in rain. Lucia, our little 22 month old Lucy, couldn’t be out in the chilly rain either. We postponed it until noon. The rain stopped about 9:00 a.m.

The family arrived at 11:30 a.m. I gave instructions. Harold would begin the service. Grandma would read from Psalm 24. Harold and I would baptize Lucy together. Then all of us would give her an offering.

Then we drove to Parsons Beach. We weren’t sure Grandma could walk that far with her cane. We couldn’t push the stroller; the sand was too deep. I carried Lucy, wearing her christening gown, the same one Gabrielle wore a number of years ago.

As we approached the top of the hill, the sun broke through the clouds, shining its gorgeous rays across the water. We situated Grandma in a beach chair and we all gathered around. Harold opened our time together. "Jesus said, 'Let the little children come unto me.'” Then he offered a prayer. The tide brought the water up to us and we had to move back three times. Grandma read Psalm 24:1-6 followed by Harold reading the story of Jesus’ baptism.

Lucy was grouchy. She screamed when I picked her up so I put her down and Harold and I, Grandpa and Grandma, walked her into the water. Her Belgian-made gown, its hem floating on top of the water did not deter Lucy from walking forward into the cold Maine coastal water while we each held her little hand. “Lucia Mary-Ann Riggs…” we began as we each leaned down to cup the salty ocean water in our hands, “we baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” Lucia smiled into the sun as the living water dripped down the sides of her face. I picked her up, putting my arms around her little body, the bottom half of her dress dripping with water. She smiled as we made our way back to the family several feet on shore. As I handed her to her father, I invited everyone to give her a blessing on her baptism day. Joy, trust in God, to become the woman God had intended for her, faith for every day, peace and blessing, we each spoke words of hope and love to this fourth generation child, all four present with us.

And then Gabrielle and I slipped off our dresses, revealing our purple dance clothing. We walked out into the water, the tide bringing the living water to our ankles. We stood, our hands out to our sides, palms up. I began to dance, a dance of spirit on the occasion of “God with us.” My hands moved upward, a sign of my own humility, pointing to God as God of all creation. My whole body moved, praising God, offering Lucy to her Maker, a sign of her own dependence on you. And then I turned, taking hold of Gabrielle’s hand, timid but wanting to dance as a gift to her sister. We twirled, lifting our hands together, looking into the sun, smiling, two spirits dancing as one. As we bowed before God, we moved back to the family waiting on shore. And I led us in a closing prayer.

Lucy began picking at the rose pinned to her gown and rose petals fell to the ground. As the family began to climb the hill on the path back to the car, I stopped, looking back. Then I leaned down taking pictures of the rose petals as the water crept up to claim them. It seemed fitting to honor God with roses.

Glorious and Wondrous God,
today four generations
gathered in faith
to recommit our lives
to the Source of All Life.
We who love you
and love our Lucy
celebrated an act of faith,
parents who vowed
to raise their child
in faith, Christian faith.
We offered Lucy to you,
rejoicing in her young life
filled with promise.
The rose petals,
delicately patterned
symbolized the beauty
of God
and the innocence of a young child.
We beheld your glory.
Our hearts tonight
are filled with joy
as we remember,
one more time,
your grace.

Loving you always, Andrea