Pomp and Circumstance

Next Sunday I will announce and present candidates for graduation during our worship service; pre-school to Ph.Ds and everything in between. It's the everything in between that's going to be a little tough for me.
I've only been at this youth ministry gig for about 3 years. Before that I was a youth volunteer for a couple of years. But it's been long enough that kids from that first little Jr. High Wednesday night bible study are graduating from high school. I can't believe those little Jr. High dorks are getting ready to take on the world! I look at 'em now and I wonder what the next 5 years will bring. Will they put on their Godly armor and get out there and withstand everything that's going to be thrown at 'em? Can they handle the temptations and detours they'll encounter? And when they make stupid decisions, can they bounce back? Some of them will rise above and find their niche right away. Some won't.
I look at 'em ... scared, excited, anxious, all that stuff I remember being too. I've seen them succeed and screw up and surprise themselves. I've been there when God showed up and they "got it". I've heard stories that broke my heart and prayer requests their parents don't want to know about. I'm scared, excited and anxious too ... hoping I planted good, strong seeds. Thank you for letting me be part of your lives. I wish you well on your journey. May God be with you every step of the way.

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the guy who'll decide where to go.
~Dr. Seuss

With Water from the River Jordan

My son Joe was baptized today; yeah, on Mother's Day. My six-year-old Max was baptized on Father's Day 6 years ago. Joe has the honor of being the first baby to be baptized in our small, contemporary worship service - Jacob's Well. This is a service that, for all it's false starts and quirkiness, has become our endeared church family. Most Sundays feel more like friends sitting around in a living room than "church". Most ceremonies, awards, acknowledgments and presentations are done in our more traditional worship service, but Jacob's Well is where we wanted to give Joe to God. There's no stained glass or pews. No hymnals or organ. Just a hand full of people who have known Joe from the very beginning; literally since I waddled around last summer with this thing growing in my belly. We knew Joe would be welcomed and embraced through these folks. My mom and dad drove up, my sister was there, tons of youth made the trek up from the basement, we even had some friends who delayed their vacation to be there for Joe, folks who showed up that don't normally worship in Jacob's Well and beyond that ... it just felt right. When it was time to present Joe for baptism, my good friend Karen, who had also taken the time to select music and text just for the occasion, stood up and explained the significance of the pitcher and basin sitting on our make-shift altar. These were the pieces that had been commissioned and blessed for each of her boys when they were baptized - both of them are near and dear to me because they're part of our youth ministry and they're just exceptional young men. The water ... well as it turns out the water was from the River Jordan - the river where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. When Karen explained that, well I just pretty much felt my heart sink into my toes. I absolutely love the story of Jesus' baptism - it's AMAZING. It's not only the baptism of Christ, but the commissioning of his ministry. When the dove soars above Him and God speaks, "this is my son, with whom I am well pleased" - what a POWERFUL moment! The trinity literally showed up at the same time at the same place; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I digress. So yeah, for my son to be baptized with water from the River Jordan - it blew my mind.
After Joe had been baptized my dear friend Teresa presented him with his first bible. She promised she would do everything in her power to love him and teach him about God's grace. I will never forget the sincerity in her voice and the look on her face. It wasn't an obligatory presentation she was making - it was a promise.
Joe doesn't know it yet, but these people will effect his life. They are our friends and family who love him and lift him up. They were there because of him and for him today. They made extra efforts to choose the right music and texts and cover my worship responsibilities so I could be a proud mom. They were thoughtful and generous with their creativity and made sure Joe wasn't something off p. 34 in the hymnal. Joe will experience the love of Christ through these people. He will be nurtured and held accountable through them. We gave Joe to God today and God has truly blessed our lives with these amazing people who mean so much to us. Amen.

Before you were conceived I wanted you Before you were born I loved you Before you were here an hour I would die for you This is the miracle of love.
-- Maureen Hawkins