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By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace ... . (Galatians 5:22a)
It was a
boisterous baptism ... one long remembered.
Three small
children bounced against the font, stirring waves on the face of the waters. I
handed them two baptismal candles to hold until the moment we lit the light of
Christ for Amelia and Madeline, twin girls.
Wide-eyed
at their great responsibility, the children stood quietly until they discovered
baptismal candles make fine swords. The ensuing fencing match proceeded
half-way down the center aisle, until they were summoned to the water’s edge ...
as each infant was lowered into the waters of eternal blessing.
Completing
the rite, Will, the twins’ four-year brother and victorious fencer, held back,
not wanting to leave the font. He looked up at me, and I spontaneously reached
for the anointing oil and marked him as I had marked his sisters. “Beloved
Child of God, you have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross
of Christ forever.”
“He blessed
you,” his father whispered as he led him back to the front pew.
“You were born for this,” the inner Voice of
Love whispered at just that moment. But the Voice was not just for me.
The Spirit’s
inner speaking is the deep truth of every human life, in every situation. Each
of us is born to know and to share the joy of God’s love flowing through us.
Just give yourself to bless the moment,
whatever it is. And listen. The Spirit will tell you what you need to know
David L. Miller
