Responding to Baptismal Vows

Sumner was baptized last week and it was bitter sweet for a couple of reasons.  First, Sumner's our last little one.  Realizing that this was our last baptism and that when I put up my Granddaddy's gown, it won't come out until our grandbabies are baptized...well, that was a lot to take in in one breath.  Second, having a sea of people promise to teach your child the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to help them be raised in the faith...well, that was just overwhelming.  Lastly, it hit me that the people from my internship were at their church.  This is a weird place for me and may be for others of you who have "church" family in multiple places.  It felt like the scene at the end of the Sally Fields movie "A Place in the Heart" (maybe?) where everyone from all the walks of the town worship and have communion together.  I was looking to see people from not only First Scots, but folks from Palmetto, Central, York and MPPC.  That was the first time I had ever felt like that before. 

Maybe things are a little smoosh smoosh for me right now because I'm all over the place with the last year of seminary, but I don't think so.  I think that it was one of those Holy Spirit moments where my church family flashed before my eyes.  My family is HUGE!  Remembering each and every person who has had a place in raising me in the faith, whether I was a little pig-tailed cutie using the chancel as my stage or as an adult learning the ropes of ministry, there have been a sea of people involved.  When James was reminding the congregation of their vows, all I could see was the possibilities for Sumner and Macie.  My girls, being raised in the faith by so many.  What would their church look like in the years ahead?  Who would be the ones they expected to see at their children's baptism?

So, in response to the group of incredibles that promised to care for my babies, I kept the church nursery today.  This is just one of the many ways we can respond, but I believe one of the MOST important.  Why?  Because this is where we can build relationships in the raw.  There are no pre-conceived notions of coolness or intellect, just pure love.  I say coolness and intellect, because if kids had to like me for those two things, I might be out.  But love, I can give them my love.  I can hold them, play puzzles, read, swing, sing, clap and smile.  I can encourage them, support them and help them learn about the body of Christ.  What an incredible gift I was offered to offer-it was not mine that I purchased, but mine that I was granted through the Son himself.  Grace.  Ain't it great!