Toss out the Map

 "Let there be light, and let it begin with me."

On Pentecost Sunday we celebrated Peanut's baptism.

Pentecost is the 7th Sunday after Easter. It celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit after Jesus's ascension into Heaven. Pentecost is often considered the birthday of the church. It's the day that the disciples became the church. The day the mission of "go forth and spread the good news" became the job of God's people.

In hindsight, it was the perfect Sunday for my theater kid. The church was decorated in red to represent the fiery tongues. People were dressed up with beads and fun hats to celebrate this birthday.

All 3 of my kids have been baptized in very different locations, circumstances, and ceremonies.

Each in their own time as part of their own story.

And I love that for them. For the fact that faith was never a box we checked. It was never something presented to them as a "one size fits all" religion.

We gifted them space to explore religion in all facets, in all buildings, in all spaces.

Peanut was the first of our kids to not be baptized by SD.

Sometimes setting aside the spot we want in the journey is the hardest part. Leaning into His will in His timing in His way.

Faith is the fruit of questions and confusion, of heartbreak and wondering, of both hope and love.

It ebbs and flows, rises and falls, prospers and withers in seasons.

I'm so proud of each of my kids for the wrestling and trusting.

For choosing to be baptized.

For choosing to never be fully alone.

Faith is a gift that each of them gave themselves.

While I journeyed alongside them in some ways, it very much was a walk they chose, on the path they picked in His timing.

Sunday we celebrated that Peanut was created by God, claimed by Christ and called by the Spirit.

In church a few weeks ago I listened to a sermon about the route to Jesus. The priest shared that we are often caught up on the "map" - what's the right way to get there, who can get there, what the rules are.

Mama Warriors, I encourage you to toss out your map and focus on the destination.

Make space that the map may look different for your kids than for you. Make space for the wrestling.

Is your goal for your kids to find Jesus or is it for them to find Him in the box you've created with the map you've made?

Make space for the journey or you may not be invited along.