This Reminds Me

Before each of our kids were born, we prayed that one day they would accept Jesus as their personal savior.  We didn’t pray for them to join a church – though I hope they’re always members of one.  We didn’t pray for them to tack “WWJD” posters in their rooms – though if they to scatter those among the anime and Hannah Montana memorabilia- fine.  We didn’t pray for them to slap fish decals on their bumpers, or wear crosses around their necks.  We prayed that they would personally accept Jesus.

With Julia – we couldn’t pray that before she was born.  But we sure began praying it when we became her parents in 2006.

Two weeks ago, Julia prayed for Jesus to come into her life.  We talked about sin (“I sometimes tell you I’ve brushed my teeth and I haven’t”), and showing Jesus to other people (“You shouldn’t say bad words”).   She talked to our children’s minister, and happily began telling friends that she wanted to be baptized.

Today she, Keith and I walked down front at the invitation for her to express her faith in Christ and her desire to be baptized.  She has vague memories of being sprinkled by a Russian Orthodox priest as a five-year-old, but she was passive in that action.  This decision is all hers.

After the service,members of the congregation greeted her as a new sister in Christ….including three sisters that know her very well.

Julia will be baptized next Sunday by Reverend Dowell Loftis, a.k.a…..

….”Catherine’s Papa”….father of our sainted former summer babysitter, Catherine – now at A&M.   Catherine is a wonderful girl, and her all-important summer with Julia in 2006 will always be part of Julia’s adoption story.

Rachel was the first of our girls baptized.  She, too,  reached a salvation decision at age nine.  I struggled with it.  How did I know she really understood?  What if she was just doing this to please Keith and me?   This is the most important decision of her life – is she ready for it?! Finally, I spoke to my good friend Lisa in Houston whose similarly-aged daughter had also expressed her faith.  Lisa told me, “You know, I really had trouble with this.  She’s so young!  How does she really know what she’s doing?  And then I thought – She’s not a crack dealer.  She’s not a murderer.   Billy Graham is not going to preach about her miraculous conversion.  She believes the way a little girl brought up in a Christian home is supposed to believe.  And I have to respect that.”  I chewed on that awhile, and reached the same conclusion Lisa had drawn – My daughter has the faith of a sincere child.

So did Lois.  And then Hannah.  And now Julia.

Maybe I shouldn’t doubt/question/stew so much.  After all…..

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

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