Immersed in God's Grace

 

This week, I want to invite you to open your head, heart, and whole life to the hymn, “I was there to hear your borning cry.”  This is often a hymn we sing at baptism, and thus we associate these words as only meaningful to parents.  This is missing a meaningful moment that could make a difference. 

This is God singing to you.

God was there to hear your borning cry.

God was there when you wandered off to explore, experience, and encounter the world with all its beauty and brokenness.

God is here right now wherever you are in life.

I invite you first to read these powerful words as God’s prayer, God singing these words softly to your soul meeting you where you are right now.

I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.
I was there when you were but a child,
with a faith to suit you well;
In a blaze of light you wandered off
to find where demons dwell.

When you heard the wonder of the Word
I was there to cheer you on;
You were raised to praise the living God,
to whom you now belong.
If you find someone to share your time
and you join your hearts as one,
I'll be there to make your verses rhyme
from dusk 'till rising sun.

In the middle ages of your life,
not too old, no longer young,
I'll be there to guide you through the night,
complete what I've begun.
When the evening gently closes in,
and you shut your weary eyes,
I'll be there as I have always been
with just one more surprise.
I was there to hear your borning cry,
I'll be there when you are old.
I rejoiced the day you were baptized,
to see your life unfold.

In the waters of baptism, God claims us as beloved.  In the waters of baptism, God seals our souls with a grace we need to face every day.  In the waters of baptism, God infuses and imprints upon us an unconditional and unceasing love that is gospel truth for how we live – if we let that truth ground/guide us.  Now listen to the above beautiful YouTube Version as a centering prayer for this week.