Thank you for this, Steph. Your words always bring me back to a place of stubborn hope.
I wrote these words in the liturgy for baptism in "To Light Their Way" and your essay made me think of them: "May every baptism remind us of our own spiritual journey, and whisper into our hearts our own spiritual identity."
Oh my goodness, this is such a wonderful reminder of baptism, and I love your thoughts, both on your daughter (can't wait for the book!), and on Soren right here, “These days, I tend to think the only honest way to live is in awareness of juxtaposition. Anything else is gloss. Anything else is a paper-over hack job. Baptism does not paper over anything, but proclaims this juxtaposition openly: life, death, and life again—Christ with you through it all. And if God lives in juxtaposition, maybe we can learn to do so, too.” Thank you for this reminder this busy Tuesday.
Exactly this. I got about halfway through the reflection when the thought arose: "This is so lovely, and I think I know where she might go with this, and it'll be kind of conventional but you can't hear it enough."
Then: WHAM. "These days, I tend to think the only honest way to live is in awareness of juxtaposition." I don't think I've heard anything truer about the times we live in. Anything else--like attempts at explanation, justification, etc.--is INDEED gloss. Thank you, Stephanie: I'll be carrying this around for quite a while.
"Sometimes this particular circle will feel like a sanctuary, a haven, a womb, and sometimes it will feel like a gladiator ring. But whatever the circle holds, there’s nothing in it that can shake what will always be true: one’s baptismal belonging, and the love that is with us always." THIS. Resonating over here. Excited to read your book.
I've often heard baptism compared to death, burial, and resurrection; but this is the first time I've considered comparing it to birth. I think you're right on though. Even as someone who didn't baptize her kids as infants, these images you've gathered make me see (and appreciate) how God is the one still writing their stories. Thanks for writing and sharing this, Stephanie. I'm excited for your new book!
One of the most lyrical and meaningful descriptions of baptism I've read. You just sold your book to me, thank you!
Thank you twice over! So much to say here on this topic. But mostly, mystery, right?
Thank you for this, Steph. Your words always bring me back to a place of stubborn hope.
I wrote these words in the liturgy for baptism in "To Light Their Way" and your essay made me think of them: "May every baptism remind us of our own spiritual journey, and whisper into our hearts our own spiritual identity."
You are the EMBODIMENT of stubborn hope! So I don’t take this lightly. I love your blessing here now and when I first read it ♥️
I loved that liturgy, Kayla. Among so many others.
Thank you, Chelsea!
Oh my goodness, this is such a wonderful reminder of baptism, and I love your thoughts, both on your daughter (can't wait for the book!), and on Soren right here, “These days, I tend to think the only honest way to live is in awareness of juxtaposition. Anything else is gloss. Anything else is a paper-over hack job. Baptism does not paper over anything, but proclaims this juxtaposition openly: life, death, and life again—Christ with you through it all. And if God lives in juxtaposition, maybe we can learn to do so, too.” Thank you for this reminder this busy Tuesday.
Exactly this. I got about halfway through the reflection when the thought arose: "This is so lovely, and I think I know where she might go with this, and it'll be kind of conventional but you can't hear it enough."
Then: WHAM. "These days, I tend to think the only honest way to live is in awareness of juxtaposition." I don't think I've heard anything truer about the times we live in. Anything else--like attempts at explanation, justification, etc.--is INDEED gloss. Thank you, Stephanie: I'll be carrying this around for quite a while.
I feel honored to get a glimpse to your thought process here! Thank you. If tension doesn’t make us as humans, I don’t k ow what does.
Easily said, not so easily lived! But here we are, trying.
So beautiful.
Just beautiful. Yes.
Pre-ordered from both Midtown and Audible! Really can't wait.
Honored! Thank you 🙏
Beautiful reflection. May we all focus on His Presence, as He is still in and over all.
This is so beautiful. I can’t wait to read the whole thing. 💛
Such gorgeous writing. I can’t wait to have this book in my hands.
And oh yes yes yes. Parenting is the ultimate surrender. In all the best, biggest and often hardest ways.
"Sometimes this particular circle will feel like a sanctuary, a haven, a womb, and sometimes it will feel like a gladiator ring. But whatever the circle holds, there’s nothing in it that can shake what will always be true: one’s baptismal belonging, and the love that is with us always." THIS. Resonating over here. Excited to read your book.
I've often heard baptism compared to death, burial, and resurrection; but this is the first time I've considered comparing it to birth. I think you're right on though. Even as someone who didn't baptize her kids as infants, these images you've gathered make me see (and appreciate) how God is the one still writing their stories. Thanks for writing and sharing this, Stephanie. I'm excited for your new book!