PTL

I have some very exciting and happy news.  But there is a backstory.

My family attends a Baptist church.  We are christians and follow the Baptist teaching on how to become a follower in Christ.  Repent, accept Jesus as your savior, and be baptized.

For several years now, our oldest daughter has asked about being baptized.  We have always put the emphasis on repenting and accepting Jesus as your savior, as we didn't want her to only be enchanted with the baptistry and "getting dunked" at church.

I was waiting for this moment:

The girls and I were in the car at Sonic one day and the oldest, who was about 7 at the time, began asking about being baptized.  We were having a great conversation about salvation and a relationship with God.  I was keeping calm on the outside but knew my ugly cry could come on at any moment with the realization that my girl was on the verge of a huge life changing moment.  I felt like this:

(I truly am an ugly crier.)  When out of nowhere the youngest daughter (who was 5 at the time) asks "Wouldn't it be cool if we had a bunny rabbit?"

Just like that the moment was gone.  The conversation turned on a dime. The topic of having a rabbit overshadowed the readiness of a Savior.  She wasn't ready. 

Over the last year the conversation has come up several times with both girls but neither one seemed sure about making a commitment.  We didn't push.  We just waited for the time to be right, for their hearts to be ready and for them to be called by God.

The younger girl is a morning person.  At 5:30 this morning she climbed into bed with me.  (My husband leaves for work quite early in the morning.) She said she was ready.  We had a serious talk.  We prayed together and she accepted Christ as her savior.  But then she had concern regarding our pastor, Brother Charlie.

"Mom, Brother Charlie says long prayers."

"Yep. Are you worried about him saying a long prayer after your baptized?"

"YES MOM! That is a long time to be under water!"

That poor dear thought she'd be held under water for the duration of the prayer!

After the older one woke up, little sister shared her news.  My oldest daughter came to me and said she was ready too! Together, we discussed what it means to follow Christ and to be baptized.  Happily, we prayed together.

All day long I have been thinking PTL.  Praise the Lord!  I am truly blessed.

Guess what?  No ugly crying!