Easter Sunday at Divine Restoration Christian Ministries was alive with shouts of “Thank-you Jesus” and “He is risen” as Pastor Smith rose to the pulpit. Vibrant colored dresses, hats and suits filled the sanctuary as people walked the aisles praising and worshiping God. The praise was so high that Pastor Smith signaled Brother Jones, the Minister of Music, to strike up the sound.
After throwing his arms up into the air, the choir jumped up and the sweet sound of Kirk Franklin’s ‘Don’t Cry’ brought most of the congregation to their feet. Vanessa and I stood amidst the praise and worship with outstretched arms. Tracy held Faith, rocking to the music.
“Give Him praise. Give. Him. The. Praise.” Pastor encouraged everyone to get their shout on, and they did, up and down the aisles. The emotional frenzy continued until he instructed the band to bring the sound down.
As the choir sang the last melody, Pastor Smith spoke. “Why do you cry? He has risen. Why are you weeping? He’s. Not. Dead!”
The spirit was still high with praise and worship as shouts of “For me.” and “Thank-you, Jesus.” echoed throughout the congregation.
Pastor Smith stood behind the large wooden pulpit as the thankful cries dissipated. “I have a Word from the Lord. But before I begin preaching I’d like to bring up a family today for an Easter Sunday baby dedication.”
My village showed up for Faith’s dedication; even Keisha sauntered down the aisle with a skirt that met her knee and a jacket to cover her chest. As I looked at the faces of my co- workers, extended family from out of town, and my church family, there was one face missing.
John had traveled to Dallas to deliver Easter Baskets on behalf of his foundation. He scheduled an early flight back this morning so that he’d make Faith’s dedication. I reached in my bag and pulled my phone from my purse, no message.
“Can the Jackson family come up and join me?” As Pastor walked down the steps from the pulpit he continued speaking into his lapel microphone. “Today we’ll dedicate Little Miss Faith Jackson. It would be a bittersweet day but since we’re celebrating what Christ did for us on the cross, we know that Faith’s earthly father is in heaven rejoicing on this day, too.”
Before we stood, I smoothed the multiple ruffles on Faith’s dress. A lilac sash adorned it at the waist with a matching flower on the side. Tracy untied the bonnet to make it easier for Pastor when it was time to anoint her head with oil. “She doesn’t like this thing anyway,” Tracy said hoping to give Faith some relief.
Over the past four months, I pondered who would be the godparents. I couldn’t choose between Tracy and Vanessa. They would both be aunties to Faith anyway. Lady Kendra and I developed an unbreakable bond. When I thought about Pastor Smith, I knew that he would guide Faith’s Christian walk and that Brian would approve of them. I asked them to be Faith’s godparents and they humbly accepted.
“Everybody come on up, don’t be shy.”
After we assembled below the pulpit, Tracy handed Faith to First Lady Kendra who immediately broke out in baby talk, cooing to Faith who shared a big smile in return.
As Pastor began to speak, the chill of the early April morning wind blew through the church since the doors between the sanctuary and the foyer were propped open. Everyone looked back as John entered trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. But how could he be at six feet seven inches?
Tracy waved him down to the front and he stood with my village next to Aunt Louise who had kept her promise to be there for us. She traveled from Philly to D.C. twice a month to help me with the baby.
During one of our late night talks, I shared with her the ‘John story’. She told me, “Chile, there is no shame or guilt in that. Do what God leads you to do. My nephew loved you, but he is gone now.”
So she felt comfortable prodding him to move closer to us.
“Go on over there boy. Take your place.”
Before moving, he looked at me with a ‘Can I?’ expression etched on his face. With a look of approval, I waved him over and he stood right next to Tracy and Vanessa.
Pastor Smith shook John’s hand which meant a lot to me. It was as if Pastor gave John his approval to become a part of my village. Lady Kendra sensed my emotions and rubbed my back to get me through.
“Now that we are all here we can dedicate little Miss Faith.”
Everyone seemed to straighten up in their seats.
“As you know in the Baptist tradition we don’t baptize babies. We allow them to grow older to make their public profession of faith.”
Pastor turned to pick up a small bowl from the altar.
“Lachelle, what name have you given your baby girl?” “I have named her Faith Briana Jackson.”
“And what do those names mean?”
Faith alone.
“Faith means a strong belief in God and Briana means strong.”
“It is important that we understand what we are calling our children. They need to know and understand the strength and power that lies in their names.” He paused through a flurry of, “Amens.” He continued. “Our Father in heaven, ordained baptism to signify our union with Christ and our cleansing from sin. Today we dedicate Faith and anoint and pray over her with a commitment from parents, godparents, and the village to share our faith and guide her life using Christian precepts and principles. We ask the Holy Spirit to guide and protect her throughout her development and allow her to become a Proverb thirty-one woman.”
This was really happening. God is faithful.
“An old African proverb says that it takes a village to raise a child. Faith has a village here at her church, with her blood family and aunties and uncles who will care for her.” As Pastor Smith anointed us with oil, he continued. “We ask that you bless Faith today so that she is safe from all harm and danger.”
Looking over my entire village he asked, “Can I get an Amen?”
We all gave a resounding “Amen.”
“Everyone may be seated and I’ll deliver this Easter morning message from on high.”
As we walked to our seats I couldn’t help but notice the stream of light filtering through the multi-colored stained glass window right above our seats. It warmed my face once I sat.
I looked over my village and knew that Faith and I had made it through the storm. As her head rested on my shoulder I stroked her back and knew that God’s grace and mercy would continue to bring us through, with faith alone.