To Avery on Her Baptism

Through the Sacrament of Baptism we are
initiated into Christ’s holy Church.
We are incorporated into God’s mighty acts
of salvation and given new birth through
water and the Spirit.
All this is God’s gift, offered to us without price.

- from The United Methodist Baptismal Liturgy

People often ask why some churches baptize babies and others wait for a profession of faith.  Your father was baptized as a baby, while I was baptized later, when I was nine years old.  I don't think it matters either way, really, but a pastor I worked for once always included an explanation when he was performing baptisms that struck a cord with me. 

He asked the parents when exactly they started to love their children.  Was it when the child was able to tell them that he / she loved them?  The answer was always no, they loved the child from the time that they were no more than a glimmer in the parent's eye, they loved the very idea of that child, and that love only deepened over time.  So it is with God, but so many times over, without price.  The baptism is a way to formally welcome that child to the family of faith.


As part of the ceremony the pastor asked us, "Will you nurture this child in Christ’s holy Church,
that by your teaching and example they may be guided to accept God’s grace for themselves, to profess their faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?"  Your dad and I responded confidently, "We will!" but inside I trembled a bit at the weight of that responsibility. 

For now, it is easy.  We say your prayers every night before I put you to bed.  You go to church with us.  But mostly, we love you, unconditionally, without cost.  Someday (soon) things will get trickier.  I'm sure my words and example with fail us both.  But, just like God, I will always love you, unconditionally, without cost.

The gown you wore was older than anyone that was in the sanctuary.  It represented a line of faith, unbroken, for over 100 years... 115 years of the joy of babies being born, prayers recited at bedtime, whispered pleas for a fever to break or a broken heart to mend, silent invocations thrown up for patience and grace, 115 years of thanks given and struggles laid out and comfort sought. 

When your great-great-great grandmother, Caroline S. Jaeckle sewed the delicate lace and tiny puckered shoulders onto the gown for her daughter Charlotte, do you think she knew that she was sewing a legacy of faith as well?  It is my hope that in another 115 years even if that gown is long gone, that legacy remains.  It is my prayer that you will grow into the fullness of a life of faith, that you own the promise of being part of God's work here on earth, and that you share the love you have with those around you unconditionally, without cost.

Sweet Baby Jesus (or Why Mary is My Homegirl)

Seeing as I am not, in fact, a Catholic I have never really paid too much attention to Mary outside of the Christmas season.  However, since becoming a mother myself, I have been thinking a lot more about Jesus's mom, and the baby Jesus, and I have so. many. questions.

For example, did baby Jesus:

• spit up down the back of Mary's 30 billionth fresh tunic right before they were about to leave for the market?
• wait until Mary's cart was full and then decide to go into freak out mode for no apparent reason?
• have dirty diapers so massive they made Mary say, "Oh, Jesus!" and call Joseph over to look?
• sleep through the night from birth?
• be all sweet and nursing and then grab Mary's breast with his baby razor claws?
• cry for so long Mary made Joseph strap him on the donkey and take a ride around the block?

They wrapped him swaddling clothes, though, so I'm guessing there was some screaming. 

Then the shepherds show up to check out her baby and discuss what the angels told them.  And "Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)  Well, I'll bet so. 

See, this new mom thing is stressful.  (And I'm only basing this on my own personal experience, maybe the rest of you paid more attention in the how not to kill your baby prenatal classes.)  Those first few days with your new baby are unreal.  You are constantly worried you will somehow break them, or immediately scar them for life.  I never imagined there would be so many decisions to make in just the first few days, and no one will tell you what to do, they just keep giving you options and being all "It's your decision, mom!" while you frantically look around trying to figure out whose mom they are talking to.  Then they send you home and you Google like you have never Googled before.  And your baby is a normal human.

Then, there's Mary.  Whose baby is most decidedly not just a normal human.  But she does not freak out.  Instead, she treasures it all up and she ponders it. 

So, thank you, Mary, for reminding me to not freak out. Our situations are incredibly different for sure, but I can try to focus less on the unknown and spend more time treasuring moments with my daughter and trusting in your son.   Blessed are you among women, homegirl.