A set of stairs wrapped around the wings of the stage, where we stood in single file obscured from view. We’d each slipped a thin white shift of fabric over our heads, and stood shivering in the space between the congregation and the huge tub of water on display. We stood like a row of musical notes, our different heights climbing up and down the scale, until it dipped down to reach me, a single note at the bottom of the staff.
At eight years old, I was the youngest of those who had signed up for baptism.
Prior to that Sunday, my parents asked me repeatedly if I was sure about my decision. Between afternoon cartoons or while I munched my morning cereal, my mom would slide a question my way, making sure my decision was one of the heart and not simply a parroting of words I’d overheard in grown-up conversations.
I answered each question from a place of uncomplicated faith. I loved Jesus, and baptism was simply the next step in my friendship with Him. My parents were satisfied with my answers, and weeks later, I found myself waiting in the baptismal wings in that line of notes strung along like a love song to Jesus.
I took a deep breath when the pastors called me forward, and another when they submerged my body under water. I rose up from the water appearing like the same eight-year-old I was minutes before, only imperceptibly different on the inside. After church, I ran around with a wet head looking for my church friends, while my parents wrangled my siblings.
Nothing had changed, and yet, so had everything.
I have three children of my own now, all much older than my wee self at eight. When I look back at photos of them in elementary school, I remember how young they seemed at the time. How innocent and untested. How silly and sweet. Life with eight-year-olds is a blur of color and noise and laughter. I don’t remember many deep conversations reviewing the tenets of our faith, sacramental language, or big words used to explain difficult concepts of spiritual transformation.
I remember wondering if they truly understood what baptism symbolizes when my two oldest decided to be baptized on a family trip to Israel.
Like my parents, I questioned my children for sure answers. How quickly we forget that the Holy Spirit woos the hearts of young and old alike. I’d forgotten the sincerity and simple faith of my youth, and how the Spirit is alive and at work in us at every age and stage of life. We baptized two of our children in the Jordan River, while fellow pilgrims sang hymns while waiting for their turn. I snapped photos of my kids in their thin white shifts, wide smiles, hair dripping. I wondered what memories they would carry with them, and if this moment was one of faith defined or just another adventure on a family vacation.
When we piled back into the car after our visit, my husband called everyone’s name to be sure we were all present and accounted for. When he called my son’s name, my boy replied from the back seat, “He’s not here anymore, Dad.” To which my husband replied, “That’s right, buddy!”, as I blinked back tears.
A new child had risen out of the brackish water while I took photos and wrangled his little sister.
Nothing had changed, and yet, so had everything.
Leave a Comment
Michele Morin says
What a gift that we walk in newness of life. The dying and the resurrecting become so close to us and so precious when we realize that the very real and tangible death and new life of Jesus point toward the spiritual reality of the work He wants to do in us.
Blessed Easter to you, Kimberly.
Kimberly says
Precious indeed! Thank you, Michelle! Happy Easter to you and yours.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Kimberly,
Your son’s reply brought tears to my eyes too. Oh that such a young person can understand that they are a new creation in Him. It truly is a work of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we make faith so complicated, but Jesus reminds us that in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven we must become like little children. We could all take a lesson on being forgiven and having a friend like Jesus from our kids. Out of the mouths of babes….
Have a blessed Easter,
Bev xx
Kimberly says
Hi Bev, I’m preaching to my own heart here! It bears remembering when I overcomplicate it. Thanks so much for reading! Happy Easter!
Danita says
Such a beautiful piece to read as we wait expectantly between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. It caused me to take time to remember my own baptism. Thank you for that gift today.
Kimberly says
Oh, Danita, how sweet to reminisce about your own journey to deeper faith! Thank you for saying so! Happy Easter to you and yours.
Kathy Cheek, Devotions from the Heart says
I want to have more of that childlike faith in my life! It is so easy to be cynical as an adult. A growing faith doesn’t have to abandon faith like a child. I think we need it.
Happy Easter!
Kimberly says
I want a childlike faith too, Kathy:) I wrote this as much for my adult self, as I did for readers! Happy Easter to you!
Rebecca Jones says
The story is beautiful. So many children don’t have that opportunity.
Kimberly says
Thank you, Rebecca! Happy Easter to you and yours!
Nancy Ruegg says
What a precious story, reminding us of the glorious newness of life we have in Jesus. It’s so incredibly extraordinary and all-encompassing. And your son gets it! God bless you, Kimberly, as you continue to guide your children. You are taking them down the right road of faith and sensitivity to the Spirit!
Kimberly says
Nancy, thank you! What better time to think on newness of life than Easter? Happiest Easter to you.
karen says
What a precious story about your son!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Thanks for sharing that sweetness and simplicity!
Beth Williams says
Kimberly,
You & your children are blessed to have grown up in good Christian homes. My parents quit church for a number of years. I was simply a “young church goer” doing church but not having faith. Years later I finally got the message & was re baptized. Yesterday was Easter. We had an adult get baptized. It was thrilling to see one more soul saved. This world makes it easy to act Christian. There is spirituality, prosperity gospel, false teachers, etc. We need to teach everyone the truth about God & being baptized. We must become like little children to enter into the great Kingdom of Jesus.
Blessings 🙂
Lisa says
Beautiful! I was baptized in high school but I don’t think even then I fully understood it and am only now working on what it all means.