today is a special, special day

Dear Milo,

Today is a special, special day.

Today is your baptism day.

Your grandparents drove all day to be here for your special day. You have a new outfit to wear. It's a special, special day.

Milo, I know you don't understand this day. For you, this day is no different than any other. But, for me, this is a special, special day.

I've been thinking about this letter for a long time. Thinking about what I want to say to you. How to explain your baptism day to you.

You see, I remember my baptism day. I was 10 years old. I remember going to the front of the church with my parents and my brother, your Uncle Justin. I remember the pastor laying his hands on my head. I don't remember the words he said, but I remember the way it felt to be loved so completely. To be told I am beloved. To be told I am God's child. To be surrounded by people who loved me and wanted my life to be filled with grace.

And I remember crying. I was 10 years old, but somehow I understood what it meant, and it moved me.

And part of me is sad for you that you will not remember this day. Because it is a special, special day.

Today, your parents, your grandparents, and your church family will be present with you. The pastors will lay hands on you. We will say vows. We, as your family and as your church, will commit to raising you in the Church. We will say, "We are your Church, Milo, and we love you so very much."

And then the pastors will baptize you, Milo.

They will sprinkle you with water. You will be baptized by water & the Spirit.

The water is an outward sign. A sign of your belonging. A sign of how much we love you. Of how much your Church loves you. And, most importantly, a sign of how much God loves you.

And, after we have prayed over you, Pastor George will carry you around the sanctuary. And we will sing to you. We will sing these words:

Milo Stephen, God claims you.

God helps you,

protects you,

and loves you too.

We are here to say, this day,

that we will help you

on the way.

Milo Stephen, God claims you.

God helps you,

protects you,

and loves you too.

Milo, today is a special, special day. Today we will say, "Milo, we are your Church."

As your mother, I can do my best to raise you as a person of faith. It is my hope for you that tomorrow will mark the beginning of a spiritual journey for you. That you will continue to seek God, to understand God's nearness, to believe God's goodness resides within your very own body.

It is my hope for you that you will desire God. To seek God's will for your life. To participate in God's redeeming work in the world. To be a co-creator of justice, love, and mercy. To be grace-filled.

Today is a special, special day. Today we will say, "Milo, we are your Church."

And it is my hope, as your mother, that someday you will say for yourself, "This is MY Church."

I can't be certain. After all, you are your own person and will have to, eventually, find your own way in this world.

But, always, always remember these things:

God loves you.

Your Church loves you.

And I love you so very, very, very much.

Happy Baptism day,

Mama