My Daughter's Baptism! - A Father's Journal
It's Sunday and we have just arrived home from a weekend getaway in Tennessee. Completely unprepared for what I am about to hear, my little princess who is now not so little says to us, "I want to get baptized." "What was that you said?" I asked. She repeated, "I want to get baptized." I was ill prepared to hear this AWESOME news! "That is great, sissy! When?" was all that I could muster, as I continued to bring luggage from the garage.
It's now Wednesday and the plan is set and I am going to get to help do the honors! I now have time and my attention focused to parse the thoughts of my beautiful daughter, who now has the capacity to make some important life decisions and has chosen to follow the Lord Jesus in obedience to His Will to be baptized in water! I cannot even begin to fill my mouth with expressions of what I feel in my chest! She has never been forced to this decision, only informed as to what it is all about as given in Scripture, but my prayer continually has been, "God, may my kids know that You are their God! May they have a relationship with You all by themselves!" I'm feeling pretty good about how things are going so far with this petition before the Father, and I press on to the mark of this HIGH CALL, that my kids be fully espoused to Christ! I hope between now and Sunday, I can fully realize this moment. For now.... only "WOW!"
It's Sunday, the big day! Though delayed by weather from the original Sunday, we finally arrived. Today, I joined our Pastor in the baptism of my daughter at our local Church. I can't begin to express what I felt looking across the baptistery at my beautiful daughter robed and ready to enter into obedient worship! I know that she could not fully understand or appreciate what she was about to do, but I also know our Heavenly Father must have been even more pleased than I as our daughter stepped into the water to bring full Glory to God!! As quickly as she entered the water, the experience was over. I tried to fully capture every second, in my inner man and on my GoPro. As we began to lay her into the water, I placed my hand on the back of her neck so as to be her protector. I mean, she's going under water, I have to make sure she's safe, haha! When she rose out of the water, I couldn't hold back the smile that exploded from within. Crucified with Christ, nevertheless, she lives! Later that evening, as we talked briefly before bedtime, I said to her, "Watching you grow up so fast is not the easiest thing in the world, but you sure are making it easier." Then, I commenced to express how proud I am of her responsibility and decision-making. I blessed her and then walked out of the room, praising God for everything that I had experienced on this Sunday.
My wife and I continually emphasize the value of trust. It is hard to build, but easily broken. We as parents work to build trust by always being honest and real, and we hope that she as a young lady will continue to live so as to build trust. We assure her that her home life will be better as our trust in her remains. For now, she has done well! I praise God for her and for this day! May she continue this walk to glorify and honor the Name of the Father, of the Son , and of the Holy Spirit!