Annabelle's baptism prayer

You are loved Annabelle
though you may not know it yet,
you have heard its whisper in your Mothers’ touch, your Fathers’ voice
and that tippy-toed roaring energy that is your big sister.

You are loved Annabelle,
by all this family and all these friends,
though you may not know it yet
And all their stories
and all this life
will be a strand of who you are.
Just as you have already become this chubby-cheeked, opera-squealing part of ours

You are loved Annabelle,
though you may not know it yet
by the very God who created you and everything around us
From the blazing majesty of Antarctica,
to the ever-changing greenery of your Birtles Avenue home.

So when the water runs across your head
know that you are loved
not because of anything that you’ve done, or anything that you’ll do
Just because of the gift you are to all of us

And when the sign of the cross
is placed upon your frowning little forehead,
know that you stand in that great tradition
of those who claim God’s faithfulness in Jesus,
“Goodness is stronger than evil,
love is stronger than hate,
light is stronger than darkness,
life is stronger than death,
victory is ours through him who loved us.”

Annabelle, you are loved.

(PS Thanks to Cheryl for the inspiration)