My little sweet pea was baptized today. -A moment that it seems like she's been waiting on 'forever'. Really, it's only been since January when she first asked but in the days since then, her repeated inquiries made the span of time seem much longer.
She is only 4 but when she was asked why she wanted to be baptized, she didn't hesitate with her simple, and strong answer: "Because I am a child of God. I love him and I want to follow his ways." She said it with such certainty in who she is but with a tone of shock for my even having to ask her why? As if to say, why wouldn't I? I thought to myself, if only we could all believe as a child. Matthew 18:3
When the preacher submerged her, I was reduced to tears and utter adoration. Not only was she making the first of her own many decisions but she was brave enough to overcome her fear (of water) to do it.
Like her brothers, when she was born, I couldn't believe that God gave me, not just a baby but another whole person. You wonder how you will raise them. Where you will succeed and where you will fail them. You hope that the successes far outweigh the failures. You hope that in the end, God will be proud of what you've done with his son or daughter.
I felt that same awe and humility today. When she went under the water, she gave me a glimpse of her independence, as she left me to return to him. Not by force and not by bribery but that of free will. She could not wait to go.
When it was over, and she was dressed, she ran to the mirror and smoothed her hair. She checked over her every feature as if she expected an outward change in her appearance. But even I have never seen her radiate more, than when she leaned into the mirror and said to herself with such pride "I did it. I really did it."
I was so proud of her and for her, but as a mother, my heart sent the same message up to God. It was one of thanks and one of honor. -That he could somehow use me to help guide such an incredible creature back to him. Sometimes, I am not sure which one of us teaches the other more about the grace of our almighty father.
Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies in the gate. (Psalms 127:3-5 NASB)
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