My son gave his heart to the Lord when he was younger, on 1/25/1998 in Kids Church at church. Now, let me back that up a bit by a few years. I use to attend a shrine on a regular basis and it was at this shrine when he was still young enough for me to hold him in my arms I remember giving his life in word form in my heart to the Lord at that very shrine. He was water baptized as an infant in church but now the Lord placed upon my heart for him to be water baptized completely in the water. I would periodically ask him and the Lord 'Is the time yet for this to happen?' It was many months and then we went on a family vacation. We stayed at my sister & brother-in-laws lake house. I planned a craft project one morning and the children made candles in which they rolled up beeswax sheets and then they decorated them. It was fun. Everyone except my son, niece and myself went to town to go shopping. When they left Holy Spirit spoke to my heart that today was the day for water baptism. I said OK and told it to my son and this time he agreed. I told him to go get on his bathing suit and we would do it right in the lake by the boat pier. As I asked him my niece began to keep saying 'I want it too I want it too I want the same thing he had/was getting.' I got a little nervous then and sought Holy Spirit quickly and He gave me the OK for her too. I led her to the Lord and the next thing I knew I was baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit right in the lake by their pier.
Now, you need to know this about me and you will see it really was the hand of God at play in this day. I do not like swimming in large bodies of water in which I cannot see the deep underground of what is swimming in that water. I do not mind swimming in deep water if it is in a pool in which the environment is controlled, i.e. meaning I can see what is beneath my feet. I do not like the element of surprise that a fish or something else bumps up against me while in the water. I do believe that this comes forth from my brother being lost at sea and his body never being recovered. At times I use to think reality after the accident and would think he was more than likely eaten by some animal in the ocean after the accident. I know it is not a pleasant thought so you can see why I like environments that I am able to be aware of things. Does that make sense? I am OK on a boat in deep water I just do not like unsettled circumstances when dealing with the water. Isn't that interesting how I just love to go out into a storm that is brewing on land but not on the water?
Back to the story now. Another point you need to know in advance too is that there are water snakes by the dock. I did not have knowledge of this that day or prior to that day. I put on my life jacket and the kids too and I baptized my son while holding onto the steps of the pier. One was done now onto my niece. I led her in a prayer to Jesus and she was then baptized. We did not tell anyone. It was not until weeks later that I shared with my sister what happened and believe it or not she thanked me. From that moment on I have seen these two children grow in their lives. You see it really is important for a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, sibling, etc to call forth the gifts inside of a child. Why would you take the time to go and select the most exquisite gift for someone and go to give it to them and when they receive it they just never opened up the gift? Would you not feel disappointed because you spent the time and money to select this gift just for them? Of course you would. How much more would you imagine God would feel if His children were given gifts inside of them and they were never even used in their life. The price He paid for that gift was His Son coming to earth to die for us so that we would live. It is our responsibility as an adult and with the prompting of Holy Spirit when the time is right to release what is already inside that child to come forth in their life.
My daughter is of a different nature. She is more demure and quiet to God things. She is great with praying but not prayers prayed out loud with her you make a request known and she does what she does best in her way she prays. God hears her prayers too. She would be overwhelmed if I said to her today we are going to get you water baptized. She had the opportunity to attend my water baptism and she declined at the time. I did not condemn her for that I honored her decision. There is no one child that is greater than the other because one is more forthright in doing God work for they were both created in the image of God and it is our job as a parent to not force or shove "religion" down their throats. It is our job to be an example of how to walk with the Lord so they in their own timing will want to emulate that. Do not be afraid or ashamed to read your bible; speak of the miracles that God does in your life; let them see you extend a hand of kindness to someone; talk about faith and what you are believing for in your life; and prayer. That is what Jesus did right? So why not follow His example. Never tire of praying for your children and never take for granted the true gift that they are in your life. For, someone must have prayed for you if you are born again right? Do not question why I had to wait until I was 35, 95 or another age to receive salvation just be thankful that someone prayed for you and God honored their prayer(s) and now go forth in your gifting and talent and choose destiny.
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