Happy Now?: Emma's Big Day

Parenting is hard. :)

Many of you know that as parents, we are making life long decisions on behalf of our children. Decisions that we hope will guide, protect, and equip them as they grow to be more and more independent.

I was challenged, though, (what a shocker) by my amazing 3rd child who is gonna plow through the world at her own pace. Let me tell you, right from birth Emma had her own timing, first making us wait for 10 extra days, and then being born before the doctor ever made it to the room. (I've never seen a nurse look so panicky as she told me I was NOT having that baby! Lol!)

For about two years Emma has been asking to be baptized, and I've been putting her off. For those of you who are not familiar with our beliefs, the Bible says

^"Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." - Acts 2:38

Emma 'asked Jesus into her heart' years ago, meaning she chose to believe that Jesus literally died on a cross for her sins, and that he rose again, no longer a slave to death. She received the gift of forgiveness, not just for any wrong she had done at the tender age of 5, but for every single wrong thing that she would ever think or do as long as she lives. She prayed and asked God to guide her and help her live out His plan for her.

If you don't speak 'Christian-ese', this would mean she's both 'saved' and ' a Christian.' :) YAY!

Now, in the Bible, we see that baptism is the next step of obedience to take. Even Jesus was baptized, although he had no sin to absolve.

So Emma had been hounding me to be baptized.

And I had been resisting.

Why? You may ask? Well, she's 9. I was baptized at 14, and I remember both the day I made the choice and the day I was dunked. But barely. I really felt it was important that my kids would remember the choice they were making, and also that they would realize the impact of that choice. So I asked the kids to wait until they were older. Some of them took that at face value, respected my wishes, and simply obeyed, knowing that I loved them and had a reason for my answer.

Emma, however continued to have dreams of being baptized, and to talk about it often. She would wrestle with how she felt and how her mom felt. I began to see her passion and love for Jesus increase, and I knew that if she felt the need to take this step of faith and obedience even at age 9, then I had to let her do it. Who was I to stand in the path between her and her Savior? :)

So this past weekend we had some family come up for a small reunion, and a local fishing derby. Together we decided that it was time. We asked our amazing pastor, and a select number of very special people to come and see Emma be baptized.

There were crowds everywhere, as we baptized her at the boat launch, and I was so blessed by the friends and family that made the hour long trip from town on a dirt road to be there for my faith-filled little girl.