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“Wake up Jimmy! It is your special day today!” Jennifer stirred her baby up while the whole town is still asleep. As the sun slowly rose, Baby Jimmy was all dressed and pampered as he awaits his initiation into God’s own family. As usual, all the ladies were trying to kiss and pinch his cheeks and exclaiming, “Oh, look how cute he is!” Jimmy was having the time of his baby life. Sixteen year old Jennifer could only watch from a distance as she hurriedly hand out small beribboned bags of butter cookies to the family and friends who have gathered to witness this event. It was a tradition for her family to hand out the same homemade butter cookies to every guest during a baptism reception. However, some of the guests were discussing on the status of Jennifer of giving birth without being married. Those words hit Jennifer at the heart but she toughens up as she drew her strength from her precious son. It was his day, not mine, she thought. At the priest’s gentle gesture, the radiantly smiling sixteen year old mother anxiously laid him on the crib placed for him on the altar. As she bent down and adjusted the blanket, she could not help but drop a tear. Kissing the cooing baby’s face, she wondered how could she ever consider aborting…no, killing this precious life? She bit back her tears and hastily stepped back, as Father Adrian began to pray, “We are gathered here this Easter in the Lord’s name to bless this renewal of life….” **************************************************************** “Stop doing that Asha!” “Nalini, don’t they ever teach you how to tie a ribbon?” “Asha, Nalini, Mala! Are you all ready? Come over here Mala, you left your sash on the door. Quickly now, Mother Priyanka’s has been waiting at the chapel for hours already.” After making sure that they were at their best, three of them formed a line and marched discreetly towards the newly restored chapel at the back of the orphanage. Thanks to the community, the children there could now pray in peace and not worry about the roof collapsing on them. The flowers in the noontime garden were shining with morning dews lingering on the leaves of the jasmines and azaleas. The children and sisters had worked hard to make it so magical looking. It looks like a picture we saw in the bible, the Garden of Eden, thought Nalini to herself. She began to skip and dance along the pavement and was soon joined by Mala and Asha. Sister Anita glanced at her adolescent companions and was on the verge of reminding them Mother Priyanka’s lecture on decorum. But Anita had no heart to stop them, not yet. These girls, though tender of age, have tasted the bitterness early in life. Just like herself, they were the unwanted daughters of the broken gutter families of Calcutta, exposed to poverty, violence and abuse, pariah of the pariah. A kind but clear voice can be heard from the entrance of the chapel. It was Mother Priyanka! She was beckoning them to come in front. The girls were given little gifts to hand out to the other orphans in the chapel. Asha hung back shyly, but Mala and Nalini nudged her forward together. Their eyes rounded at Mother’s largess; chocolates!! Everyone gave a bright smile as each came forward one by one and received the rare treats. Mother then stretched her arms over them. “Thank you Lord, for gathering us here today. I would like to offer these three beautiful girls to you as a part of Your family…” It was a wondrous beginning. ********************************************************* It was Easter morning. But it was just like any other day for Seng. His lungs were killing him and taking his life bit by bit everyday. He ignored the pain and turned his attention on the wooden crucifix above his bed. As Seng began to reminiscence the past, he had to bite back his tears as he remembers the days of his youth. Back then, he was as fit and enjoying life to the fullest. Days could not have been much better with his business going well in the South East Asia Region and his beloved Ai Ling by his side. What a memorable moment it was when Meng was born. Alas, when Minna strode between Seng and his wide, it all fell apart. It was heartbreaking to see the love of his life taking out a piece of divorce document and shoving it into his hands. He never saw her again. Life with Minna was so glitzy to the extent Seng lost control of himself, ignoring his responsibilities to the organization he build. Eventually, he lost everything but Minna still clung to him like a parasite. With no one to turn to, Meng became the victim of abuse which he then ran out of his life too. Life got much worse when he turned to beers, drugs and women as he enjoys the worldly pleasures while venting his anger at God all the time. However, when Seng was diagnosed with cancer, he began to rethink his actions and wondered if it was too late for him. He had fervently begged the nurses to bring a priest to him that Easter evening, for a chance to repent before he drew his last breath. There was a soft knock at the door. A young priestly man entered and held his hand. Seng looked up wonderingly at the familiar face, tears welling in his eyes. “Father, forgive me for I have sinned much.” “Our Heavenly Father forgives all, but will you also forgive me, father?” ********************************************************************* Baptism is the way of salvation for the soul. Jimmy, Asha, Nalini, Mala and Seng are all now part of God’s family. The only gift that they can give to themselves is the gift of love from God. No other baptism favors can ever top that of. It is time for us to repent and open our hearts to Him.
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Elizabeth Ellis is a leading expert in all personalized gifts and has written a number of articles related to baptism gifts, personalized photo mugs, baby shower favors and so on. Please visit peculiarstuffs.com to read her other highly regarded work on such details as baptism favors, baby gifts, photo mugs and so on.
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