Warming Up

Yesterday I was re-baptized. Instead of the warm summer evening that is typical for late August, last night was chilly...jeans and sweatshirt weather. I don't like to be cold, so the thought of being in shorts and a t-shirt and being dunked in icy water did not appeal to me. I was uncomfortable. And then I did get some of the odd looks and comments I was expecting, such as "I thought you would have already been baptized." I felt vulnerable. Part of me wanted to run back to the van, put on my warm clothes, and get back in my comfort zone. But I didn't - I walked through it with the support of my church family. I had made the decision to be obedient and get into that cold water (which really wasn't too bad). And I was blessed by the two men who got into that water with me, simply because I asked them to.

To my left stood my husband and best friend, Jeremy. He has walked with me and supported me through much of my faith journey. He knew me back in the day when I was skeptical about Christianity and still searching for the truth. He accepted me unconditionally and played a big role in my initial acceptance and growth in my relationship with the Lord. He has been there to push me out of my comfort zone and support me in whatever I've felt led to do. I am continually blessed through his music and his character. Thank you, Jeremy, for always standing by my side.

And to my right stood Jim, who is a father-figure to me. Shortly after New Hope opened I was introduced to Jim and greeted with a hug. And so it was every weekend...I looked forward to seeing Jim because I knew he would be happy to see me and have his arms open wide. Such a simple act, but one that made me feel loved and accepted, like I was in a place that I belonged. And I've come to look up to and respect him as a leader in the church. But now due to some messy circumstances, Jim is no longer there to greet me on the weekends...and I have felt the void. I knew asking him to come to the river and baptize me would require him to step out of his comfort zone. But he did it, for me. Thank you, Jim, for your love and support.

I am at peace knowing that I was obedient to what God has asked of me. I hope that as He looked down yesterday, He thought "This is my daughter, whom I love; with her I am well pleased." Matthew 3:17

Going to the River

I made a decision today that I should have made a long time ago. I'm getting baptized...well, actually re-baptized. I've sat through the baptism messages at church year after year debating whether or not God was asking me to do it. You see, I was already baptized by immersion when I was 15 years old. It was a choice I made at the time, but not for the right reasons. I didn't fully understand the gospel and ask Jesus into my life until I was 19 and in college. Since then I passed up an opportunity to be baptized in the ocean at Myrtle Beach, big regret. And since joining New Hope I had been a Christian so long that it felt too late to get baptized, so I used the "I've already been baptized" card. I'm tired of sitting in the service each year and wondering what I should do. I know I'm saved and that baptism is a matter of obedience. So even though I am going to feel uncomfortable and embarrassed about having waited so long, I am going to the river on August 23rd! (I already turned in the info card at church...so it's too late to back out now LOL)