The Map Home

To Hailey on her Baptism Day

A long time ago, But not long at all
You made a choice, and accepted a call
You wanted to come to earth so you be
Like Heavenly Father for eternity

He kissed you and then put you on his lap.
He gave you some gifts and showed you a map.
He told you that you must walk a straight path,
And if you chose the right, you’d find your way back.

Your journey will be rocky; the road will be long,
Sometimes the choices you make will be wrong.
Your feet will grow weary; the light may grow dim,
But these gifts would bring you home to him.

One of the gifts God gave to you
Were parents to love you and sisters too.
And when you were born, we were given the task
To raise you and teach you to find the right path

We taught you to walk; we held your hand,
And showed you the many the roads in the land.
We gave you directions, and showed you the way
To follow the map God gave you that day.

Now you are eight and today is the day
To draw your own map and find your own way.
You will make mistakes and you may get lost
But Jesus has already paid the cost.

And through his sacrifice you will be
Given a bridge to cross the streams.
Your baptism washes away the road grime,
And if you repent, you’ll stay clean all the time.

Your confirmation will help you hear
The whispers of His voice in your ear.
It will help you to know which way to choose
And when you get frightened, it will comfort you.

But though they are gifts, they have a small price
And you must be willing to sacrifice.
And make to him promises that you’ll obey
And keep all the covenants you make today.

You have chosen the path you will take
You start your own journey, your choice you make.
Your choice is eternal and the Lord knows
How much you love him, and your faith shows.

Your father in heaven is happy today
That you have accepted the gifts that he gave.
Today you’ll be perfect, but you won’t always be
But Hailey, you’ll always be perfect to me.