Gift From God
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle B
Brian could feel the heat of anger rising in his neck. His left hand curled into a fist and he hit the palm of his right hand. He felt dizzy as he looked around.
Clothes, towels, and sheets were scattered all over the living room. A glass of orange juice was empty, the contents still dribbling down the side of the coffee table. A towel landed at his feet. His one-year-old looked up at him and giggled, making Brian even more angry.
He picked Adam up and set him down hard on the kitchen table. "It took me an hour to fold all this laundry," he shouted. "I leave the room for ten minutes and you just make a mess of everything!" Brian could feel blood rush to his head as he reached for Adam. Adam became quiet.
Brian's hand was poised to strike but it stopped in midair. Adam had his arms out, saying, "Up, Daddy, up." Brian choked down a gasp. What was he about to do? Did Brian think he could actually hit Adam? Was the laundry that important? He cried in shame as he picked Adam up. He hugged Adam tight and looked at him long and hard.
Adam was the child they had waited for. Jen and Brian had tried everything to conceive and finally were approved for adoption. Adam came three years later.
Adam was five days old when the papers were signed. Pure joy had filled Brian's heart at the sight of the baby. He was so sweet, so small, so innocent. All four grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins had been there for Adam's homecoming. Bright balloons were everywhere. The presents were heaped in the virtual mountain with wrapping paper of light blues.
The baptism was two months later. Brian had held Adam as the pastor began the baptismal service. Brian couldn't seem to let go of Adam as he listened to the words. "In holy baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin ... We are born children of a fallen humanity ... In the waters of baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life."
Brian stared as the pastor took little Adam, held him tight, and poured water over his head. "By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the church which is the body of Christ. As we live with him and with his people we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God."
The pastor had challenged Jen and Brian in the sermon. Brian recalled the words: "No matter what mischief Adam will get into, he is still God's child, washed clean by the water of his baptism. No matter what Adam does or says, he is still full of the Holy Spirit. For by baptism he has been made perfect in God's sight."
Brian reached for Adam. He cradled Adam in the recliner and together they read books. The laundry would keep. Brian needed time with his perfect little gift from God.
Clothes, towels, and sheets were scattered all over the living room. A glass of orange juice was empty, the contents still dribbling down the side of the coffee table. A towel landed at his feet. His one-year-old looked up at him and giggled, making Brian even more angry.
He picked Adam up and set him down hard on the kitchen table. "It took me an hour to fold all this laundry," he shouted. "I leave the room for ten minutes and you just make a mess of everything!" Brian could feel blood rush to his head as he reached for Adam. Adam became quiet.
Brian's hand was poised to strike but it stopped in midair. Adam had his arms out, saying, "Up, Daddy, up." Brian choked down a gasp. What was he about to do? Did Brian think he could actually hit Adam? Was the laundry that important? He cried in shame as he picked Adam up. He hugged Adam tight and looked at him long and hard.
Adam was the child they had waited for. Jen and Brian had tried everything to conceive and finally were approved for adoption. Adam came three years later.
Adam was five days old when the papers were signed. Pure joy had filled Brian's heart at the sight of the baby. He was so sweet, so small, so innocent. All four grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and cousins had been there for Adam's homecoming. Bright balloons were everywhere. The presents were heaped in the virtual mountain with wrapping paper of light blues.
The baptism was two months later. Brian had held Adam as the pastor began the baptismal service. Brian couldn't seem to let go of Adam as he listened to the words. "In holy baptism our gracious heavenly Father liberates us from sin ... We are born children of a fallen humanity ... In the waters of baptism we are reborn children of God and inheritors of eternal life."
Brian stared as the pastor took little Adam, held him tight, and poured water over his head. "By water and the Holy Spirit we are made members of the church which is the body of Christ. As we live with him and with his people we grow in faith, love, and obedience to the will of God."
The pastor had challenged Jen and Brian in the sermon. Brian recalled the words: "No matter what mischief Adam will get into, he is still God's child, washed clean by the water of his baptism. No matter what Adam does or says, he is still full of the Holy Spirit. For by baptism he has been made perfect in God's sight."
Brian reached for Adam. He cradled Adam in the recliner and together they read books. The laundry would keep. Brian needed time with his perfect little gift from God.
