Baby Shower in Denver

I don't have all the pictures from last weekend's shower, but here are a few that my mom took. It was a very special day!

My mom flew out for the weekend =)

The hostesses:

Mandy, Lorissa, and Greta

Greta wrote and led a "Mother Blessing Prayer for Tiffany," which was my favorite part:

God, you who birthed us and nurtured us, be present with us in this moment as we celebrate new life and ask your blessing over our sister, daughter, and dear friend, Tiffany. God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

We give you thanks, Mother God, for those who have come before. For the countless generations of women who have brought your miraculous life into this world time and time again. May their strength and wisdom be a blessing for our friend now, as she becomes a mother. We give you thanks for Iva Lee, Tiffany's mother, and hold her in your love and grace as she becomes a grandmother. God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

God of compassion, we give you thanks for those who prepare the way for this new child. For friends and family. For Tiffany, who works diligently and stands courageously on the side of justice and truth. For the child's father, David, who cares for and heals your children who are sick, hurt, and addicted. For every person, everywhere, who is making this world a better place for children to live. God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

Tiffany, may you feel God's spirit of peace--for good health and calm nerves. For smooth doctor checkups. For an abundance of stretchy pants and as much sleep as you can possibly get. For joy and wonder. God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

To the new baby, you who are growing, kicking, and making yourself known already--we don't even know you yet, but we love you. Do us a favor and be as good as possible to your parents. When it comes time to be born, be brave. We cannot wait to welcome you! God in your grace,

Hear our prayer.

And now, may the Spirit of the Living God, made known to us most fully in Jesus Christ, go before you to help prepare the way for this child. May it go beside you, so you know you are never alone. And may it dwell within you to remind you that you are loved beyond your wildest imagination. Amen.

***

I am a very, very lucky woman indeed.

Waiting for Baby

Our friend, Todd, was in Denver a couple weeks ago and took these pictures for us. We are SO pleased and think he did a fabulous job!

"All the time we wondered and wondered,

who is this person coming

growing

turning

floating

swimming

deep, deep inside."

--Crescent Dragonwagon

David Baker, RN

Mother God

I'm writing the pastoral prayer for Mother's Day tomorrow and I found this email from a co-worker of mine. I don't think God is female any more than I believe God is male, but I do think we need an image of God as Mother. Here's what "Pastor Steve" has to say...

The Mother will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, in my name.... Those who love me will keep my word, and my Mother will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them....

— John 14.26, 23

The Holy Trinity is a single parent family, right? And look— despite all the he-man talk, God is a mom. Aside from our sexist history, there's really no reason to call God Father instead of Mother. God has no biology, no body parts, no x or y chromosomes. So the whole Mother/Father thing is all about social stereotypes. Well, doesn't God fit the traditional stereotype of a mother? The one who births us, and nurses us with her own flesh, the one who taught us to walk. Not one who leaves home every day to work, but the one who stays with us to care for us. The one who feeds us, the one who talks with us, who weaves our relationships together, who tends us when we're sick, who cries over us. Isn't God more like the one who fusses over us rather than the one who taught us how to play football? As far as gender stereotypes go, God is way more like Mom.

Both our stereotypes and our theology need to change. But while dads learn to be more like what we've always expected of moms, God's been doing it all along.

And she's not only a homemaker, she's a single mom. There's a Son, and another (a daughter?)—but no other parent, no other authority, no one else for us to turn to or for her to fall back on. God is the resilient, resourceful, devoted single mom, the one who works hard to hold the family together, who balances work and family, who somehow pulls it all together. As we approach Mother's Day I honor mothers, especially those who are single or functionally so, who give life and love, and who embody God's grace.

In the name of the Mother, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Happy Mother's Day.

Best. Weekend. Ever.

Well, I can tell my life is changing. There were immigration rallies all over the country this weekend but I was nowhere to be found. Instead, I was opening baby gifts and eating tiny quiche. Maybe someday I will figure out how to be a justice-seeking mama...

Despite my guilt, the weekend was really, really wonderful. The shower on Saturday was hosted by my dear friends, Carrie and Lauren, and my two sisters-in-law, Rachel and Emily. It was obvious to me (and everyone who came) how much energy and love had gone into planning and putting on the shower. The decorations were beautiful, the food was divine, and every detail of the shower was carried out with thoughtfulness.

The shower on Sunday was hosted by two friends at my mom's church. Aldersgate is where I was baptized and confirmed, and where I spent most of my growing-up years. It was special to celebrate a new baby with people who "remember me when."

Overall, I felt totally showered with love and care. It is a very special thing to know that so many people I love also love my baby and wish good things for him. I'm a very, very lucky woman.

Oh, and to top it off, we found out on Sunday that David passed the NCLEX!!! When he graduated from nursing school 6 weeks ago, I didn't think I could ever be more proud of him. I was wrong. =)