meredith was baptized.

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On Sunday Meredith was baptized.

So many thoughts and feelings and moments and difficulties led up to this day. Although I myself was baptized as a child, most of my life was spent in a tradition that doesn’t baptize infants but only dedicates them. That is surely what I would have done with Meredith had our church not dissolved at the time of her birth. Instead we found ourselves without any kind of spiritual dedication for her.

After a year and a half we finally found ourselves in a church home that we wanted to commit to, and I knew that it was time to include Meredith in that. The church we go to now does baby dedications as well as baptisms depending on the parents’ preference.

I thought long and hard about it, prayed, talked to my husband, my pastor, and a good friend/spiritual adviser, and in the end we decided to baptize Meredith. What it comes down to is that I now see baptism as more of an induction into the church. Without getting too deep into theology, I see it as a sign of God’s “yes” to Meredith, of our commitment to raising her in the church and our church’s commitment to helping us. It’s a more formal step showing that everything possible is being done to lead her into the Christian faith. It’s our hope and prayer to see her one day say “yes” back to God.

http://youtu.be/6d-2q3S219c

If you don’t have time to watch the six-and-a-half minute long video, you’re just missing a little mini-sermon, some crying on Meredith’s part and some desperate soothing on my part, and then a lovely moment of calmness when the baptism happened. Both David’s and my entire family were there and it was just really good.

Welcome to the Church, Meredith. We’re not perfect, we mess up, we get on each other’s nerves, we get angry and sad, but we love. We love each other, and we love you. That love is only a shadow of God’s love for us, and it is my deepest hope that one day you will love Him back.

Comments

8 responses to “meredith was baptized.”

March 5, 2013

Megan

Beautiful. (Also, not that it matters in the slightest bit what I or anyone else think, but a big thumbs-up from me on your decision. Love you all!)

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1. March 5, 2013
  
  kapachino
  
  Well, you WERE the “good friend/spiritual adviser” that I mentioned. :)
  
  Reply
  1. March 5, 2013
    
    Megan
    
    Wow, really?! I honestly had no idea you were talking about me. I am genuinely touched. (Not that that is an infrequent occurrence in my friendship with you, dear one).
March 5, 2013

Sarah

This is really beautiful, and I think it’s really great that you captured it (in video and your words here) so she can look back when she’s older and “remember” her baptism and the great crowd of witnesses who gathered around her for this important day.

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1. March 5, 2013
  
  kapachino
  
  Thank you, that was my intention! Also, the first picture with the jar of water is actually some baptism water that we saved. We plan to show it to her every year on the anniversary and maybe watch the video too, so the occasion will have significance for her.
  
  Reply
March 5, 2013

Mindy

How neat that so much of your family was able to be there! Like marriage, it’s so meaningful that it’s done in front of witnesses to encourage you and walk with you as you raise little Meredith. (We had baptisms at our church on Sunday, and the joy that erupted after each one was awesome. I always cry happy tears!) It’s precious to see a family dedicating their child to God, and it’s a miracle to see an adult accept His love and decide to walk with Him. You have a lovely family!

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March 5, 2013

Tabaitha

What a joyous occassion and even more special celebrating with all of your family!

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March 6, 2013

Nora

I love the family photos; you are glowing!

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