Pouring water into the birdbath I thought about the other splashing water I heard earlier this morning. Holy water, dripping from the head of my baby grandson at his christening. Water that stakes his parents’ claim on him as a child to be raised in a godly Christian home with the help of grandparents, extended family and his church family. Symbolic water, poured out in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, representing the obedience of Christ during His time on earth and the promise that the redeemed belong to Him. Clear water, splashed in hope and anticipation of the day Alex will ask Christ to be his own personal Redeemer and Lord. Water touched lightly on the heads of his older sisters like a dove descending from heaven to remember their own special days (notwithstanding Molly’s assertion to the pastor, “I’ve already been baptized!”) Renewal water, remembrance water. A water ceremony to refer to as we answer the growing children’s’ questions about what it means to be a Christian and why is God’s Word so important. Water I hear in my mind as I turn to look at Emily, her Samantha doll also dressed for church sitting quietly beside her, reading her new Bible and glancing up earnestly at the stained glass window that represents the holy sacrament of baptism in her church. Special water, not for the washing off of birthday cake and blue icing but as a symbol of God’s washing of the heart, or in the case of a baby His faithful promise to wash the hearts of each who ask in repentance and faith.
The watering can emptied of its last drop, I watch as the water in the birdbath settles into a quiet pool, waiting for the birds to get a drink or have a bath. And I am once again thankful for my own baptism, immersed beneath the baptistery waters and raised dripping, 53 years to the day after my own christening as a child, 35 years after my own personal acceptance of Jesus as my Savior. Water flowing through the circle of life – physical and eternal – different dripping off different heads, one promise, one Lord, one faith.
Kim Robinson is an author living in Austin, TX. She and her husband have six children and fourteen grandchildren and enjoy spending time with family. Passionate about parenting, she writes and speaks about a variety of issues facing parents and professionals dealing with teenagers in crisis. She enjoys speaking at retreats and to various organizations.
Kim's debut novel, Chased by Grace - A Story of Survival, is available now.