A wonderful thing happened today. Well, actually, two wonderful things happened today.

First wonderful thing – our entire family (including Curt’s family) sat together in church this morning. The reason? Well, that’s the other wonderful thing – Eli was baptized.

This day meant so much more to me than just going through a ritual. To me, this meant years of hard work and dedication have paid off.

Am I patting myself on the back? Maybe. But not because it was anything I did. I was simply the vessel being used to make sure the next generation was taught and believes what so many are questioning these days. A belief in a God who loves me enough to send His only son to die on a cross for my sins.

Jamie was baptized on November 30, 1986 – just shy of her 1st birthday.

When I made the decision to have my children baptized, I made the commitment to them and to God to do all that I could to teach them of His love. I tried my hardest (without trying to be a real pain) to teach them what God views as the difference between right and wrong, His 10 commandments, His love and His forgiveness.

I was faithful in waking them up early on Sunday mornings and getting them to Sunday School and church. Some days, it would have been so much easier to just stay in bed! I made sure they attended every Wednesday evening class and rejoiced with them when they were confirmed. This has been my lifetime commitment to a God that I believe cares for us enough to figure out even the smallest details of our lives. I’ve tried teaching them that He has a plan for each of them and that there is a reason they’ve been born right here, right now. And I’ve prayed for them. Oh how I’ve prayed for them!

It’s Jamie and Curt’s turn now. I will continue to pray – and will include Eli in those prayers. Jamie will be the one to feel the frustration when Eli exclaims how bad he DOESN’T want to go to church and how boring it is. She’ll be the one to have to be the dedicated mom and insist that he WILL be going to church and he WILL attend the classes. I, as Grandma, will be the quiet voice in the background who will be able to encourage her that she’s doing the right thing. That one day, she will see her persistence pay off and a man of character will happen because of her dedication.

I would be lying to you if I told you that watching Jamie and Curt with Eli at the front of the church didn’t choke me up enough to bring tears to my eyes. Tears of joy, of course. And, as I was sitting in the pew (rather than being the one in front of the congregation), I reminisced of the years and just how fast they have gone. And…how blessed I am!

God bless you and keep you, Eli! I will pray for wisdom for your parents. And for you…I will pray that as you grow, you seek God’s will for your life. I love you, Eli!

Eli was so intrigued by what the Pastor was saying. I think he KNEW what was about to happen to him.