August 30, 2019
Kimberly and her Birthday Twin
Louis & I decided to join the church we have been attending. After attending a newcomers class, we brought home our study books and Kimberly looked over it. (Our purpose was to let Christina and Becky look over it. I wasn’t expecting Kimberly just yet.) Kimberly has been using the month-long study guides our church publishes for about four months as Bible study & cursive writing practice.
“I want to be baptized.” Kimberly announces.
That began some serious Socratic questioning to find out what she really understood and believed. I mentioned that it wasn’t required just because we were joining. Kimberly was adamant. She said she’d been considering it a long time and wanted to show everyone she was really a Christian.
So, my little third daughter decided to get baptized. Our Pastor met with her, went through the same questions (He likes to make sure the young person understands what they are doing), and allowed she could be baptized. I was so buried that I didn’t realize she’d been able to meet up and get the okay until Saturday!
My word, though, the emotions that flooded my heart, realizing this was real to Kimberly. She’s been delving into a lot of deep questions over the last few months with me. Then to hear your child explain to you what Jesus means to them – I love to hear their words straight from their heart. Kimberly is a young woman. I call them “women-in-training” at this point.
If you are a mom, imagine the moment you look into your newborn’s eyes for the first time. That adrenaline rush and flood of emotions is what courses through me when I see my child publicly announce their faith. I can’t help but feel like I’m soaring, looking at a future where she is connected to God through her own personal faith; I pray Kimberly allows herself to listen and trust the voice of God. I pray for strength to grow in the one relationship that will never fail her. I try, but it’s hard to put those maternal feelings into words because I can say I am excited, proud, blessed, etc., but that doesn’t capture the rapture of my soul at that moment.
My little girl chose Jesus. My young woman is choosing to begin a life-long relationship with Jesus based on her own journey of discovery.
That is my longstanding prayer for each of my children and those I love; that they come to know a true relationship with the one who created them and loved them since before I knew they existed.
We get home, have our “technology-free” family day, and I open my Facebook to see if my mom or sisters sent a message – to find that my oldest niece got baptized on the same day!
“Guys,” (no shame, I’m so happy I’m crying again – all three teen/preteens look at me like I’m odd) “guess who got baptized today too!”
Christina – “if you say Livy…”
Kimberly – “Seriously? Who do I share a birthday with!”
“Yes, Livy!” And I show them their uncle’s post. Kimberly is jumping with excitement now. “We are sisters in blood and sisters in faith! We are birthday twins!” (They don’t call each other “cousins” but instead “sister-cousins” or “brother-cousins” and sometimes just “sister” or “brother.” Lucas always calls Liam, Isaac, and JJ his “brothers.”)
Type at you next time,
~Nancy Tart