Wash over me

If you've ever watched children around water, it's clear that they are drawn to any kind of water. Washing dishes in the sink, splashing in puddles, watching a fountain, swimming in a lake, water draws children to it. Perhaps, that's what makes the symbolism of water and baptism so powerful. In baptism, water draws each of us to God. Water washes over us and claims us as God's beloved children. Water washes the muddiness of our world from our lives and lets us have a new clean start in God's eyes each day. Water gives us life, physically and spiritually. Martin Luther chose to use normal everyday water for baptism, rather than holy water because it made a point for him. Each time that we see water, Martin Luther hoped that we would remember our identity as children of God. Each time we did a load of laundry, each time we went fishing on the lake, each time we boiled pasta on the stove... Any time we see water, we can call to mind our baptism and how it makes us beloved children of God. Today, just for today, try to do this: every time you see water around you, let it capture your attention and remember that you are a precious child of God, claimed by him in the washing waters of baptism. Then, try it tomorrow too!