Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Baptism

My beautiful grandson, Jayden Troy Maurer, will be baptized this Sunday at his Dad's home church in Salem, IL.  My daughter's in-laws have graciously invited us to their home for dinner on Saturday evening.  I'm looking forward to this significant event in Jayden's life. 

To me, the baptism is a commitment on the part of Jayden's parents and all of us who will have a hand in his upbringing.  It's a reminder to live our lives in such a way that Jayden will see Jesus in us.  It's quite a responsibility!  It's a prelude to the day that Jayden will  decide that he, too, wants to surrender his life to Christ and follow after Him.

I hope that Jayden will be able to experience baptism anew once he makes that decision.  Even though my Dad had been baptized after he accepted Jesus as His Savior, he elected to be baptized again when he and Mom were in Israel.  At the age of 30 just before Jesus began His public ministry He was baptized by his cousin John.  You may remember how the Holy Spirit descended upon Him as a dove.  Dad wanted to be baptized in the Jordan River in approximately the same spot that Jesus had been baptized.  It was an amazing experience as Dad felt the Holy Spirit blaze through his body when he was lifted out of the murky waters.  I know that Mom and Dad would have supported Sarah and Troy's decision to have their son baptized in Troy's home church.  They would have glowed with pride! 

As I watch my 2 year old grandson, Kristopher growing in his young faith it amazes me that he will bow his head and reach out to hold hands as we bless the food before we eat.  It brings me joy to see him lift his hands in praise while we are singing.  He loves it when his Mom or I read events from the Bible to him.  At just 2 years old he is already learning and growing in his faith!  Teaching children is an awesome responsibility but we also need to remember that some of our best lessons come to us through the children in our lives.  We have so much to learn much from them!

Some friends of mine are coping with the after effects of an accident that nearly took their oldest daughter's life.  God spared her life but for now she is now bound to a wheelchair, struggling to learn to use her muscles, to hold her head up, to eat, and even to talk.  All of us who know them (and many who do not know them) are lifting this believing family up in prayer.  In a Caring Bridge post tonight, her mom talked about the faith their youngest daughter has.  She knows her sister will be healed.  Oh that we all could have faith as that of a child!

Luke 18:15-17 (The Message)
People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. "Let these children alone. Don't get between them and me. These children are the kingdom's pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."

1 comment:

  1. I continue to believe there are no coincidences... I had been pondering Jesus' baptism by John just before I checked your blog and found similar thoughts here! Thanks so much for sharing, as always. Wishing you a contemplative and meaningful pre-holiday season :-)

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