embodied prayer

sunday, on a rare afternoon and evening off from camp, our family was able to attend the baptism of the infant daughter of new friends.  the service began at the entrance to the basilica, symbolic of miss zoe abigail's entrance into the family of God.  it was lovely and we were thankful to be there in support.

after the priest baptized the baby, her parents dressed her in an ornamental white gown.  i'd never seen that done before during the sacrament, and it was such a fitting symbol of new life in Christ.  (her sweet name even means "life.")

anyone who's ever dressed a newborn knows how tricksy a maneuver that can be.  it was also about 90 degrees in the church.  after being woken, doused with holy water, and clumsily dressed, predictably, the baby started to scream.  unpredictably, my friend put the babe to her breast without skipping a beat.  zoe quieted immediately and nursed contentedly.

it was one of the most beautiful things i have ever seen.

here was a brand-new mom, who has only been nursing a few short weeks.  all eyes were on her and her baby, and yet she felt confident enough--at the baptismal font, no less!-- to put caring for her child ahead of pleasing the assembled congregants.  she didn't let any convention or embarrassment prevent her from giving her daughter exactly what she needed.

throughout the rest of the baptism service--the blessing, prayers, and even pictures--zoe nursed happily and quietly.

breastfeeding is a natural, nurturing, beautiful thing.  cheers to not hiding away in fear or shame, but celebrating, worshiping, and living a fully-embodied, God-honoring life.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands."  (Isaiah 46:15-16)

for more "lactivism" from a christian perspective, i recommend this wonderful post, breastfeeding as worship from SortaCrunchy.