So it is with this mind set that I come to write about the Baptism of our kids this weekend. Today, avoiding controversial arguments concerning the validity of infant baptism, whether or not the act is a Sacrament (I believe it is), or whether the disciples, when they baptized "households" in Acts 16:15, 16:33, and 1 Cor.1:16, chose to exclude infants and young children; is better for my soul. Tomorrow, the theological fire may burn again to defend, but for now I rest in the peace that I have received. Here is a link for anyone entirely confused and interested in the true baptismal Catholic position, and their robust defense of the sacrament.
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/infant-baptism
I write my thoughts to share my story in converting to the Catholic Church. I write to hopefully encourage someone just beginning this journey, who may be already weary from the divisions it could cause. I write to share the great things that He has done in walking beside us, before us, and behind us, every single step of the way, and to share when he is silent in order for us to grow. I write to be honest that many days are hard, and many days end in confusion as to whether this is the guidance of Christ, or whether it is not.
Although that may seem like a unfair judgment to the place in which I am obviously fully entering in a few short months, it is an honest account of discerning truth and attempting to follow Jesus wherever he may lead. If nothing else, I am confident that He is the one who started this great work, and he will carry it out into completion. And on the beautiful vigil of the miracle of Easter, I will stand and confidently know that this Communion with my Savior was brought about by perseverance, trial, and refinement. Love without sacrifice, is not really love, and because I am madly in love with my Savior, the sacrifice of whatever it brings, was wholly worth everything.
The baptism of our four kids was the most beautiful Saturday morning I have ever witnessed, within a church or on a gorgeous vacation. It was holy, full of grace, and surrounded by friends who have come along side of us as the arms of Christ, loving us into the fullness of his Church. It was Witnessed by those whose friendship is nothing short of a divine appointment, a pleading prayer that was answered when we needed support the most. In what we expected to be a tiny, private affair between the six of us and a priest, God had planned a holy affair with God parents who are wise and filled with Joy, miraculous friends, and a group of women who have demonstrated a compelling witness for devout Catholicism. There may not have been a dry adult eye in the Church within the first 10 minutes, and I believe I even saw the Priest welling up. It spoke to the nature of the great things the Lord is orchestrating in our midst, and the conversions that can occur when hearts are open to Him.
Pictures speak to the beautiful event, and help to show the joy that we felt along with our friends and our sweet, newly baptized kids.
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| Before Baptism with our sweet friends |
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| Fr. Dan Scheidt |
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| Anointing with Oil |
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| God Parent "Miss Mary" |
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| RICA sponsors and friends |
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| A multiplication of expectations |
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| The story of how we became friends and met is a post waiting to be written. But it is amazing, and so worth the wait to find the right words to write. |
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| The wonderful God Parents of all of the kids. And because if my words are not sufficient to share how great the day was, there is no better way than to share it through the eyes of a child. So without further writing, courtesy of his twin behind the camera phone, here is our son Jack's description of his feelings about becoming baptized.        |
And there you have it. Yay for Baptism, for friends, and for Him who makes all things New.
