"THIS IS MY BELOVED SON"

Our only son, Kent, was due on Christmas Day. One church lady boldly asked me about his due date, “What were you and Doug thinking, having a baby come on Christmas Day?"

“Well, we weren’t thinking about Christmas that March night!” That pretty well shut her up. He actually arrived one day early.

A few years later Doug had the privilege of baptizing Kent. I remember his words, “I baptize you, my son…now my brother, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.”

Doug once revisited the creek where he himself was immersed as a boy.

His father, also a preacher, baptized him.

Last week history repeated itself in the Henderson family. Father once again baptized son, as our Kent joined his Sean in the baptismal waters. It was their own backyard pool the church used. Not an unfamiliar place to Sean but with 50 or so faces watching, the scene was a bit intimidating.

Another church lady was kinder this go round. She arrived at their house, camera in hand, to capture the moment. She was testing the lighting when Sean said to her, “Dad’s been practicing with me so I’d know what it was like. And I’m gonna pretend like it’s just me and him in the pool…that way I won’t be scared.” (Thank you, Melanie!)

A family in Kent’s church brought back some water from the Jordan River. They mentioned to the pastor, “We thought it might be special to use some of the same water Jesus was baptized in.”

Pastor Jason found a creative way to anoint each candidate with a drop of the Jordan River before entering the pool.

When Jesus was baptized by a relative in the Jordan River, His Father also looked on and smiled, “This is my beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.”

We echo that voice from heaven.

Father, when I’m afraid or in unfamiliar waters, help me keep my eyes on You only. Then I won’t be so scared.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
in the light of Your glory and grace.

We're blessed to be

Blessings!

Kathy