June 18, 2009

Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Acts 8:36

I have to say, this is a difficult post for me. I am at a loss for words as I look at these pictures, close my eyes, and go back to yesterday. I told Mark last night just before we went to sleep, "I feel so full." And that probably still wasn't the best description of how I was feeling. It isn't often that I feel like there are no words to describe how I feel; I like words.

Yesterday when I picked Allison up from Vacation Bible School, I thought it was going to be like every other day: a quick squeeze and "how was your day?" as we speed walk out of the sanctuary back to my classroom to relieve the teachers helping me out.


Before I could even ask, Allison said, "Mommy, I have some great news. I'm going to be baptized." The words nearly exploded out of her mouth. Her face was lit up; eyes wide and that smile was beaming. And in my mind, you know that sound you hear on t.v. when something major happens - like a record scratching. I promise you, that sound went through my head and it felt like everything in my world stopped for a second.


What?! Is she ready? Is it the right time? How can she understand grace?! Did she feel pressured? Did her friends all do it too? WHERE IS A TEACHER? Who helped her through it? These questions were whirling through my mind at the exact same time Allison is forging through with her news.


"Okay, now you are going to get a phone call from Champion Forest Baptist Church, so be sure and answer the phone. And they will tell you everything. I need to come to a baptism and membership class for kids tonight at 5:00 and it will probably last about 45 minutes. I REALLY need to come to that because I want to be baptized to-night. Okay?"


"Baby," I said, "tell me why you are going to be baptized."


"Because, I asked Jesus into my heart today and he came. And he will always be with me. And after you ask Him into you heart, you can be baptized."


Around this time, her teacher came over (thank the Lord) and she and I walked over to the teacher who talked with Allison about her decision, Mr. Ron. I was able to privately ask them if they believed Allison was ready for this decision. Mr. Ron tenderly looked over at Allison, who was unaware of what we were talking about and was watching the people on stage, and said with tears in his eyes, "I have prayed for each one of these kids by name every single day. And yeah, I think she knows exactly what she did and she knows why she did it. It was real."


I looked at my punkin through tear blirred eyes and it was as if the Holy Spirit whispered in my own heart, "This is happening. Accept it."


When I was 8, I gave my heart to Jesus, too. Later on, I had some struggles and doubts as to how much I really understood about that decision. I worked through those struggles; but never wanted my own kids to have those struggles, so I sort of decided it would be better for them to make that decision later on, maybe even when they were teenagers. Isn't that great, how I decided I knew what would be the best salvation experience for my child?! I shake my head as I write this.


What followed was one of the most special days I have ever had as a mother and as a fellow believer. I heard from the Holy Spirit over and over again throughout the day.

Allison was adamant she was going to be baptized last night. Mark and I are PLANNERS. We plan as best as we can for this kind of thing. We wanted family to be able to be there. Mark even told me on the phone he always pictured her baptism being on a Sunday morning.


I thought about Allison and her little face as she was telling me how much she wanted to be baptized at Family Night. The Lord reminded me of the scripture in Acts where the eunuch wanted to be baptized right away. Over and over again in the New Testament and still today, you see how new believers want to follow through with baptism as soon as they can. Again, this was confirmation that the Holy Spirit was at work and we needed to let her do this her way.

She decided she wanted to invite her grandparents, cousins and aunt and uncles to her baptism, with the understanding they may not be able to make it on such short notice.


"I do not know who all will be able to make it tonight - we are not giving very much notice. What if no one you invite can come? Are you okay with that?" I asked.


"Oh, yeah," was her firm answer. Though none go with me, still I will follow was the phrase that scrolled through my mind at that moment.


Thankfully, almost everyone we invited was able to be there.


"This is Allison Jean Wiggins," announced Pastor Scott. Her daddy wanted her whole name announced.

"On big days, your whole name should be used," Mark had said.

"Allison is it your testimony that you asked Jesus into your heart," asked the pastor.

"Yes," she answered.

"Then it is my privilege to baptize you, my sister, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."
"Buried with Christ in baptism,"

"And raised to walk in newness of life."

While I dried her hair in the ladies room afterward, I remembered my mom drying my hair after I was baptised. It was a wonderful moment. And Allison said, "I knew today was going to be different when I woke up this morning. And now I know why. Jesus whispered to my heart. He said, 'It's time. It's time to become a Christian.' and I knew it had to be today."

I think that says it all.