Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Dear God,

Remember when I said Sunday was full of extraordinary events?  One more was my twelve-year-old granddaughter's baptism.  Her church does it differently than my own.  It is not an integral part of the worship service but actually occurs as people are leaving the service. People are talking and the band is playing the postlude.  To the side at the baptistery, a full immersion pool, family and friends stand as the words of faith are asked, the person is baptized and the two turn and walk out.  No pastor, just close family and friends celebrate.

The extraordinary event was first my grandchild's decision to give her life in faith.  She was ready, desirous of fulfilling your desire for her life.   The second was the person she chose to baptize her.  Her twelve-year-old friend had walked with her in faith and she asked her to do the lovely deed.  As the girls waded in, walked around the corner, and stood in front of the standing stained glass window, I looked on as your living presence made itself known.  Brianna asked her to repeat the baptismal vow and she followed and then she bent her backward and down as Gabrielle went deep into the baptismal waters with you.  As she lifted her up and they stood, I thought of the River Jordan where Jesus had been baptized and the numerous persons I baptized there. The look of joy on Gabrielle's face and her friend's was the same as all who make the decision of a lifetime.  Beautiful!

Gracious God,
thank you
for receiving
my grandchild
into your arms
of faith.
Thank you
for her friend
and all those
who influenced
her life
in you.
Thank you
for love
that receives us
every time.

Love, Andrea