One Special Day was Years in the Making

What are the gifts we give our children?

One obvious answer might include Barbie dolls, Legos, Nerf guns and video games. Many of us tend to shower our children with an inordinate amount of material possessions. You can add North Face jackets, Ugg boots, iPads and laptops to that list.

We give our children the gift of health by tending to their physical needs with regular doctor visits, healthy meals, daily exercise and good hygiene.   Our unconditional love and support are gifts that allow our children to develop confidence and the ability to venture out into the world knowing that someone will always be there for them, no matter what the future may hold.  Our discipline is a gift that tells our children where their boundaries lie, so that they may grow to delineate right from wrong.  And our forgiveness is a gift that helps our children learn mercy, compassion and empathy for others.

I believe, however, that the most important gift I’ve given my children is the gift of faith.  This past Sunday, my oldest son was confirmed in the Christian church.  Though the confirmation process lasted five months, I feel that it’s really been 14 years in the making.

My son’s faith journey was much like my own, with the exception of him being raised in a Congregational church, rather than a Baptist one.  I was christened as a child, and then baptized, full water immersion and all, as a teenager.  I remember nothing from our weekly meetings with our pastor other than the ride home, when my friends and I would beg the minister to play a favorite 8-track tape from his collection: Greatest Hits of 1962, Vol. 2.  I remember wearing a bathing suit under my robe for the immersion part, holding my hands in front of my face as if in prayer, though it was really to keep water from going up my nose.  I think I was more preoccupied with the new dress I could buy for the occasion than the important decision I was making in my life.

Though I spent my formative years actively involved in church, youth group and choir, I ended up taking a 15 year “faith hiatus” when I graduated from college.  I had every intention of finding a church to join, but this didn’t come to pass until I had kids of my own.  Suddenly, it became important to provide a nurturing church community for my children.

Just as my mother dragged my sisters and me to church every Sunday, I started bringing my own children to church regularly.  Gradually, I began to volunteer my help with vacation bible school, Church School and middle school youth group.  As my children found their place in the church, I found my own faith growing as well.

I was thrilled when my son reached the age of confirmation. As he began the process I hoped that it would prove to be a meaningful experience for him.  Being the only confirmand from Hanover, I worried he might feel left out since the group was comprised mostly of kids from Norwell.  But after six months of weekly meetings, games, snacks and a weekend retreat, my fears were unfounded.  These young men and women were bound by faith, and had reached their destination as one unified group.

I could not have been more proud as I watched my son and his peers perform every aspect of the church service; some read faith statements, while others read prayers and scriptures.  One young man stood side by side with the minister, weaving his faith statement into her sermon. All of the confirmands served communion to the congregation who, in turn, laid hands on these young men and women and blessed them. 

My wish is that this foundation of faith will serve my son well in the years ahead.  This gift that was given to me by my own mother 45 years ago is one that I pass to him with much love and hope.   May God’s blessings be on these newly confirmed Christians from the United Church of Christ in Norwell: Colleen Benedict, Ben Champagne, Xander Dawson, Doug Greene, Chris Fairfield, Isaiah Jackson, Chris Holland, Alexei Sherman and Jack Warendoff.  And special thanks to their infinitely patient spiritual leaders, Rev. Deborah Spratley and Geoff Gordon.