Today, we attended grandbaby Aubrey's baptism. Yes, we are Presbyterian by birth and upbringing, Calvinist in our doctrine, and Baptist in our church attendance. And, oh yes, we have a beautiful Jewish/Christian blended new branch in the family from Chris's Jessica! So, the outreach in our spiritual walk has many labels, but a heart of the love of God.
The baptism was held in her other grandparents home church, with the relatives from Texas in attendance, too! The charge to raise Miss Aubrey in the nurture and admonition of the Lord was to us all, from NC to Texas, to Alaska, and wherever else God flings the family! I'm sure the "longest distance" family was watching with pleasure, as well.
My father was a Presbyterian minister for 50 years, and had the delight of baptizing ALL of his grandchildren before God called him home. My children have bemoaned the fact that both grandparents are gone and that they left before their "big moments." Trust me, guys, when I tell you, no one misses them more than I, especially at your "big moments." It was, however, perfectly appropriate that your new granddaddy, Coach, held you and charged the congregation to pray for Aubrey and to encourage her growth in knowing God everytime she comes to their church to visit! The pastor was a mission-minded young man who gave a great message on loving audaciously and stepping outside the comfort of cautious caring.
And another wonderful serendipity that my son-in-law explained to me (speaking of Boppa, my pastor father)...the beautiful Maori melody hymn "Spirit of the Living God" was written in this same church back in the 1960's by a precious friend of my father's, Dan Iverson. Right there...in all of our celebration of family at Aubrey's baptism, the circle of our respective lives got a little smaller. Abba, You are awesome...the "long distance" folks really were there. ;o)
2 comments:
how precious this day was for all of you! i'm still trying to convince my Reformed Baptist husband to let our kids be baptized as children the way i was by Boppa. as a dedication to the Lord, and in honor of the way i was raised... looking forward to the day of baptism as believers.
i miss Boppa, too. i feel like i don't remember him well since i was so young. the biggest thing i remember was that our family, all of us, felt like "home". there was great peace at Mimi and Boppa's; they left such an amazing legacy.
Ironically, or actually not so, David Horner calls himself a "deep water Presbyterian". He and Dad (Boppa) had many discussions, theological and doctrinal, and they came to MANY agreed conclusions, and some still agreed differences, BUT the foundations were ALL the same. We have talked to David about many of them, as well. When it all falls out, our semantics will fall aside and God's Truth will certainly triumph over our tenaciously held belief system, whatever we think. In the mean time, baptizing or dedicating are both scriptural and ages are choices. God be praised for being raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, no matter what!!
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