Before I tell you the rest of the story I feel I must start at the beginning. I pray that you bear with me, for I know that the ending will bless you.
I was raised in a Catholic family, which means that my parents had me baptized as an infant. When I became an adult I had a period of rebellion. This is not something that I am proud of but at any rate it happened. Through it all my parents never abandoned me and I can honestly say there were times I would have abandoned myself.
I lost my father 12 years ago next month, it was a deeply spiritual experience. At times some have thought me crazy when I have stated that being present for my fathers death was one of most beautiful experiences of my life. This was a turning point in my life. This was the beginning of me returning to the Lord.
Being an only child this left only my mother and myself.
The closer I felt the presence of the Lord, the more I realized that I needed to be baptized.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. - Mark 16:16 NIV
I told my mother that I was planning on being baptized on Easter morning in the Tampa Bay. This was something that had been on my heart for 6 months, it was something that I wanted to do on Easter morning. It was a symbol of my death and my birth in Christ.
In my excitement I did not even consider how she would react to my news. I had long ago left my Catholic roots as the Lord moved me in a new direction. Needless to say she was not happy about this new revelation. Why she asked did I think I needed to be baptized again? I had already been baptized, did I not think that what my parents had done for me was enough. There was no easy way around the issue. No I did not think it was enough. They had made the decision for me as a babe, but this was me making the decision saying to the Lord here I am. I accept your cleansing Blood.
Fast forward with me now, 10 years. As you can imagine a lot has changed. Mom moved up to Ohio almost 2 years ago now. In that time she has been going to church with us. I have been proud of her though the churches we attend are pretty far from her comfort zone. We have had some pretty in depth conversations about salvation, about scripture, about the Holy Spirit. She has been the recipient of my mini sermons, she has been my biggest fan the past year after I began blogging. I have seen such a change in her these past few years, it is suffice to say she has made me proud.
Today while at church there was an altar call, this was not going to be your run of the mill altar call. I had been in prayer where I was sitting when I felt the tap on my shoulder. It was my mother, she asked me if I would go forward with her to pray. When we got to the altar she asked me what she should do. I was a bit taken back, do? do about what? Seems my mother was not sure about her Salvation, she had always believed but her question rang out “am I saved.” I prayed with her, when I asked her do you believe that Jesus Christ is your Savior she answered yes. Have you confessed your sins and repented meaning turned from them. Yes. Have you asked Him into your heart. Yes. Tears are streaming down her face, I am not sure how I kept it together but I did. Finally I asked are you ready to be baptized in the name of Jesus. Yes.
Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. - Acts 19:4-5 NIV
Oh how sweet it is!!
Tis a beautiful day for a baptism!! Off we went the whole church in tow to witness this blessed event. My mother age 68 was giving her life to Jesus Christ, I cry telling the story.
There at the boat ramp of Jackson Lake is where it happened. My husband baptized my mother today in the name of Jesus. I was there on her other side praying. All present witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit for He met us there and was all around. It is something that I will never forget, I feel blessed to have been apart. I feel blessed to be able to tell the story.
I love you and I am proud of you mom, I am proud that you answered His call today.
God Bless!
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