Thursday, January 26, 2012

"I believe in the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection"

* Warning: In this post I'll be writing about our church and Ethan's baptism. If this sort of thing bothers you then feel free not to read it and come back another time :) *

This past Sunday night Ethan was baptized. Our church feels (and Jonathan and I agree) that kids and their relationship with God is between them, God, and their pastor. As parents, we bring them to church and do our best to make our home a Godly environment but the rest is up to them.

Ethan has something special going on between God and himself. In the past year he has said and done things that have made me feel like a heathen ;) For example at Thanksgiving dinner when he asked if could all take a moment to pray for his Grandma and Papaw. Or when after one service where he had been praying hard at the altar I asked him what it was that he was praying about. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said "I just want God to make me more like him and separate from this world. What did you pray for mom?"

"Ahh...yeah (wide eyed) I was praying for that too."

I can't tell you the way my heart sings when I look over at him during church and I see happy tears streaming down his face as he is worshiping God. There's nothing like it.

So I wasn't surprised when he told me a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to be baptized. We told him that before he made that decision he would need to have a Bible study to be sure he understood it all and to be sure that that was what he wanted to do.

So after a Bible study and talking it over, Ethan was baptized.
With Pastor Kirk and brother "W" who is a sweetheart down to the core.
The baptismal is high up in a loft. To the right through those curtains is about 300+ church members including my parents and brother.





After it was over Ethan was shaking people's hands saying "I feel great!"
As parents we feel at peace and have hope for the future.

6 comments:

  1. he looks so happy! and i know you are so proud. congratulations to ethan! :-)

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  2. I'm so happy I got to witness this!!!

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  3. I feel like I am watching my own child being baptized! OK maybe not to that extreme but I still remember being a fresh little "newbie" at church holding newborn Ethan in my arms. Now he growing up to be such a great young man right in front of my eyes! We both love him and want the best for him, I mean Todd IS one of his bffs how can we not;)I am pretty sure we might have been the only "Non"
    (and I use that term loosely) family member's in the audience videoing and crying!!! And tonight he went to shake my hand instead my usual hugs!!! I don't think I am ready for this! LOL.....

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  4. I'm not ready for him to grow up either. Although I was so happy I was also sad at how fast he has grown!

    If it will make you feel better I'll make him let you hold him like a baby next time we see you ;)

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  5. I was so excited to see Ethan up there getting baptized. We all know that I am not a huge cryer, but I had a huge lump in my throat and had to work really hard to hold back those tears. You never really know how important it is for kids at church to be worshipping and involved until you have your own. I can't wait for that to be Ryan someday :-)

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