A few weeks ago we had an extra special Sunday morning service at church.
The Ladybug and the Cowboy were both baptized!
There just aren’t words for how THANKFUL I am for our children’s salvation.
Their baptism is NOT their salvation, but it is an outward step of obedience to their inward change of heart. Growing up Catholic, I have nothing to compare this experience to. My own baptism in June was more of a re-confirmation or re-dedication for me, than a case of brand new salvation.
But the beauty of seeing our children come to their very own, heart-deep decision…hearing their own words of confession…of acceptance…of JOY…
We did not go forward with their baptisms as soon as they professed their faith. It took a lot of soul-searching for us to feel at peace that they understood salvation–they seem so young and the concepts seem so deep! But we recently had visitors at church and they sang a song called So Simple, So Profound and it echoed what I’ve come to understand…you can accept Christ with a child’s faith and your salvation is real–but it takes a lifetime to really sort out what the Christian life means.
It’s ok if they don’t “understand it all” right now. They understand what they need to here, in this moment, and it’s our job as Christian parents to help them grow in their understanding as they travel through this world to the next.
None of us understand it all when we accept Christ into our heart.
None of us have it all figured out at baptism.
None of us understand the fullness, the richness, the eternity of the Lord when we profess our faith the first time. (Or the second, or the 1,0000th!)
It’s a journey for all of us.
I am also THANKFUL for their faithful little hearts–they immediately started praying for their little brother so “we would all be in heaven together.”
And I am THANKFUL to say that last week Speedracer stopped at recess in school to go to his teacher and her to help him “get Jesus in his heart.”
We’re not planning his baptism just yet. He’s still basking in his salvation (oh the JOY on his face that afternoon when I picked him up!) and hasn’t asked about it yet. He understands confession, he understands accepting the Lord and walking as the Bible tells us too. But I haven’t felt my own Holy Spirit prompting me that he’s made this faith his own and ready for the next step just yet.
But what a blessing to see the Lord working in our home and family!!
I wasn’t sure what to do for a baptism like this. Our family always threw a big party for a Baptism or Confirmation and you got gifts and cards and a whole big hoopla. We chose to invite some family and have a small luncheon afterwards. Mr. Fix-It and I also gave them each a small gift. All our kiddos already have their own Bible (two actually, one for home and one for school) and our faith doesn’t come with other trappings like rosaries or anything…so we got each of them an age appropriate devotional and a pack of Bible tabs to encourage their Bible study.
The devotionals were a HUGE hit! We went with A Girl After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George (because I LOVE everything by Elizabeth George!!) and A Boy After God’s Own Heart by Jim George (because I LOVE everything by Elizabeth George and that’s her husband.) They were perfect! The Ladybug’s is just right for her to do on her own and/or with me (she’s 9) and the Cowboy’s is a little advanced for his reading skills, but just fine for his spiritual level (he’s turning 7 next month). I would highly recommend them for elementary level kiddos!
What blessings do you have to count today?
