Yesterday, was a promise keeping day.
The promises were made over our son years ago. We stood at the front of a sanctuary with our infant. The minister took him from my arms, and walked down the aisle. He said “This child is not your own. He is a gift from God, and you will spend the rest of your days giving him back to God.” I could not breathe as I whispered yes on that day. He asked us: Do you promise to bring him to know the loving community of the Church? Do you promise to teach him language of faith, until that day when he can say yes to God on his own? We promised that we would.
We have, as much as we know how. Every day, in prayers and actions and kindnesses modeled. Every chance we can, in Sunday school and meals and worship and songs.
Yesterday he received a gift. He was so excited to receive his very own Bible. With his name engraved on it, he’ll have you know. Our congregation gives a new Bible to first graders, marking the entrance into a new season of faith. Our boy is quick to note that this means donuts, guitar songs and Jenga in the “big kids” Sunday school class. We know it means he is stepping further along in his own journey of faith.
The choir sang “Ancient Words,” and I found myself again whispering yes.
“Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.”
He plopped down in the pew with his buddy, and they compared Bibles. Their little fingers traced the names engraved in the leather. He flipped to the first pages of Genesis, obviously, and began reading. Our new reader knows that you start a story at the beginning. He carried it everywhere he went yesterday.
I heard our preschool minister challenge the children yesterday to pay attention to the verse written on the inside cover of their new Bibles: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
She asked them to think about a flashlight on a path. Though it’s not my favorite image of the role of scripture, I thought it so perfect for this moment in his life.
I’ve seen these kids with a flashlight.
I’ve seen them tear into the woods at dusk, using the little spotlight to make them brave and run headlong towards adventure in the evening darkness. I’ve seen them delight, giggling as the brightness and shadows fuel their imaginations. I’ve seen my boy wonder at what his flashlight can create.
I pray he charges into adventure with this Bible he has been gifted. I know the ways I have struggled and stumbled and grown with the story of God in these pages, and I suspect he will, too.
But, first, I pray that he will delight and wonder. We’ve promised to walk with him in the wonder.
