I have a new favorite! Addison became my all time favorite baptism Saturday evening. Her family brought her forward. She had on a beautiful white baptismal gown. She looks like an angel. I gave the baptismal questions to her parents. They are people of genuine faith in Christ. They responded and I found myself envisioning this beautify girl growing into a personal faith in Jesus. I took her in my arms. I reached in and took the water from the font. I dropped the water onto her head and spoke the words of the baptismal covenant. Then came a moment I had never experienced before.
Perhaps last night about 5:15 you heard a sound like a screaming airplane. You may have even gone outside to see what was happening in the Northland. There is a good chance lights in your home flickered. I expect to hear that some shingles fell off people's roofs.
That was Addison. I thought to myself, "What Have I Done!"
Then Pastor Ginger stepped forward. She reached out her arms and I was relieved to hand the baby to her. Of course she immediately stopped crying. Her mother took her. With a stunned look on my face I handed Ryan the baptism certificate and sat down. Addison enjoyed the rest of the service. Perfect.
I, of course, reflected on this. It dawned on me. This is more like it! So often we "dry clean" in baptism. Maybe we make it some sentimental rite where we place a couple of drops of water on a child's forehead and they sleep through the whole thing.
With that entrance into the Christian life it is no wonder so many church people seem to sleep walk through the life of faith. That is how they got started!
I have extremely high expectations for Addison! When a baby is born they catch their first breath, let out a scream and enter life. Why not baptism? This is the breath of life - the Spirit of God. This is our first breath of the Spirit. Of course we should let out a cry as we enter this new life that God is beckoning us to.
With such a great start I look forward to seeing Addison grow into a bold believer and devoted follower of Christ.
What a joy. That is a baptism that took!
It's been a good day.
I hope you've had a good day too.
steve
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1 comment:
You still hold my own personal favorite comment by a pastor at a baptism. I don't know who the family was, but there was a baby and a toddler, maybe three-ish. The three-year-old started yelling something like, "Mommy, don't let him put water on me. I don't like water." Do you remember your priceless response? You told the child she should just be glad she wasn't a Baptist. I still tell that story from time to time when there is a glitch of some sort at a baptism. Patsy Klontz
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