Promises

My God daughter Charlotte whose son Samuel was baptised today

Numbers 6:24-26
The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.

Acts 2:38-39
Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.”

Promises made in faith

kept in prayer

fulfilled and passed on
with all the room in the world
for the grace of God
to get to work.

Celebrating the faithfulness of God

from generation to generation 

whose Spirit delivers

 more than we can ask for

or even imagine
whose grace works miracles.

Baptised in the name

of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

As those familiar words were spoken

and promises were made

for a new child of God

loved not for his potential 

but because of who he already is

it brought to mind

all the promises that I’ve made

and witnessed

and been part of

in maternity wards

in hospital chapels

in homes

and in churches.

Promises made

in anguish and in heart break

in hope and in joy

Marking life snuffed out too soon

Anticipating the abundant life God offers

Celebrating a life well lived

All marked with the promise of God

Whether at the beginning 

or at the end.

And, in the remembering 

the promise is renewed
and God’s grace is recognised.

God is present 

Honouring beginnings

and endings

and all the in-betweens

And the sacrament declares anew

that we are called

Beloved of God.

Thanks be to God.