Written on Good Friday
April 18, 2014

James Michael Pemberton
Born: April 18, 2014

Lord, today I became a grandfather,
        my son, a father;
James Michael Pemberton came
        at eight pounds, three ounces.
As handsome as his granddad,
        just as smart too, no – smarter;
healthy – ten fingers, ten toes,
        with a tired but happy mom.

So God, our first order of business
        is an expression of gratitude:
for James Michael and his mother,
        and for dad not passing out.

James, in days to come you and I
        will have much to talk about;
and a lot of mischief to get into –
        but no worries: I’ll take the heat.
For now it’s best for you
        to eat a lot and sleep a lot;
grow big and strong so you
        can explore this wonderful world;
and so you can get to know God,
        who loves you just as much as,
no – who loves you even more
        than your mom and dad.

That’s hard for you to believe now,
        more so for your parents.
But you see James you were born
        on a special day: Good Friday –
a day when long, long ago,
        our God gave up his own son,
for the sake of the world;
        even for you James Michael.

But James, that’s a long, long story –
        so we will save it for a time when
you are not so sleepy or hungry.

Today, we are just going to thank God
        for bringing you into this world;
stunning from the hair on your head,
        to those ten toes on your feet.
Adorable in your mother’s arms,
        and in you dad’s massive hands.

So thank you God, for entrusting James
        into the hands of his parents;
please watch over him as he grows,
        protect him from the evil one.
May he grow in wisdom and stature,
        and in favor with you and people.
May he grow like your son, Jesus,
        may he grow to be like you.

 Amen

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