Psalms 41, 52, 44 | Genesis 37:1-11 | 1 Corinthians1:1-19 | Mark 1:1-13
“John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” Mark 1:4
I cry at baptisms. I never used to. Then I had children. I remember sitting in awe of my brand new infant on the first night he arrived at home. I felt as though I was in a wilderness of the unknown — full of fear and enormous responsibility. While the intensity of that first night has certainly subsided, the worry and sense of responsibility that goes with parenthood never truly goes away.
So I cry at baptisms. Because with baptism comes a promise from God. I'm promised that I'm never truly alone in my parenting journey — God is with me in the spirit of baptism, and my children are guarded by a loving Father. My own imperfect parenting is forgiven, my children are washed of sin, and my church family stands surrounding the baptismal font. Enormous relief and solace echo in the words of the baptism service, because with every new child and family that we welcome into church, I'm reminded that I'm not alone in my journey with my children — in more ways than one.
— Meg Silver
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