E's baptism

Our attempt at a four generations picture...

You know that country song were she sings, "every little thing does not have to be perrrrrerrrerfect." Well, it has come up on my pandora station many times lately and it is a lovely reminder that all is well. When James Henry was baptized, I had everything just right. I took pictures of him to be featured on custom made stationary inviting all of our friends and family to a lovely brunch reception in his honor at our home. Flower arrangements, homemade cakes and salad, glass plates, silver, the works. We had a photographer come to take pictures and we were definitely on time.... Oh, how things have changed. We almost missed Eli's baptism. We were there on time alright, I was just in the nursery feeding him and getting him dressed as they called us up to the front. The preacher did a great job stalling and eventually cutting to the music. Meanwhile, Uncle Wilson gets lost in the church looking for us, Monnie informs me that we were late, and then I am running to the sanctuary with Eli half dressed and burping down the aisle. I was mortified. Obviously, no one was mean to me about it, just lots of bless your heart looks, (something I have become familiar with lately). That was just one of the events on a laundry list of reasons why it was not perfect. Some others included, but were not limited to: giving James Henry a really bad home haircut the night before, having spit up on my new sweater, forgetting to give directions to the restaurant for our out of town guest trying to meet us for lunch, and my dad's flat tire scare. None of those things have eternal consequences, and they definitely do not mean that we love Eli less. It just means that I need Jesus more. More than ever! The focus this time was definitely less on ritual, flowers, and silver, and more on our need for a gracious heavenly father. I don't need to be perfect, but I do need His perfect love. I pray that as I receive it, I can in turn give it to others. Thank you Jesus that we were together, everyone had safe travels, Eli was in fact baptized, and haircuts grow out.