A Water Prayer

water prayer

Nourishing God, You make water spring forth from the rock. We come to you hot and thirsty. We praise You for the many ways we are refreshed, body and soul, by the gift of water. The rush of running through a sprinkler, or wading ankle-deep in a mountain stream, is a delight to the senses!…

Read More

eat, pray, light, bless: celebrate a baptism anniversary

Our sweet babe just celebrated his first baptism anniversary. One trip around the sun, one whole year a Christian. It’s a big milestone in our family. I’ve written about baptism anniversaries here and here, too. But I always find that these days sneak under the radar, despite circling the dates on the calendar and trying…

Read More

one year a christian

One whole trip around the sun. That’s how long he’s been a Christian. A year ago we gathered with old and new friends, family from near and far. My mother and I dressed my six-week old son in the baptismal gown that four generations of my family have worn. And a young deacon, an-almost priest we met as…

Read More

to my son, on the eve of his baptism

Dear sweet boy, Tomorrow you’ll become a Christian. Your wriggling arms and legs will be plunged into a warm pool of water, and your lovely dark head will be slathered with oil. A candle will be lit, and a white gown will be worn. Your family and friends will gather to celebrate, and your life…

Read More

a baptism anniversary: the third moment

One year ago today, we baptized our first child.  One, two, three plunges of a wriggling baby into the waters of new life. Not just a symbolic act, but a sacramental transformation that forever changed his relationship to us, to the Church, to God. Today I’ve been reflecting on what it means to live out…

Read More