My biggest reason to smile

Yesterday I awoke to a house that’s a wreck and a to-do list at least a mile long. And yet, I woke up smiling. It wasn’t a slight smile, either. It was one of those big, goofy, ear-to-ear grins that you feel silly wearing but can’t seem to take off. (Not that I wanted to.) I smiled that wide grin as I remembered how, the day before, my son had become my brother.

We didn’t know ahead of time that Connor was planning to be baptized into Christ that morning. But he nearly knocked me out of the way the minute the invitation song began, in his rush to make it to the front of the auditorium. My sweet, shy boy couldn’t wait to get up to the front where he would put on Christ in baptism, committing in front of hundreds of people to walk with Him for the rest of his days.

I smiled through my tears as his proud, happy grandfather took his public confession of faith. I cried…and smiled…as Connor’s earthly father immersed him in baptism so that his heavenly Father could save him by grace, through faith, washing away his sins. I smiled when the man who got up to make announcements afterward said, “I do believe that’s the fastest I’ve ever seen someone get from the pew into the water.” (I think I laughed out loud, actually.)

I smiled some more as I watched would-be huggers line up after the service to encourage this new, baby Christian. I thought of all the dear people around the world who have taught him, from the nursery class until now, in Bible classes and through their good examples. (I am so thankful for each of you…You know who you are!)  I smiled as I listened to his new brothers and sisters tell him they were proud and happy for him. And I smiled as HE smiled through it all.

My friend Dana told me afterward that her little boy, Parker, became concerned during the baptism. “Mom, you’re crying!” he said. “What’s wrong?”  “Yes,” she replied, “but I’m crying because I’m happy.” He paused as he looked around. “Oh…..Then Ms. Amy must be really, REALLY happy!”

Parker was right. And now, two days later, I still can’t stop smiling, because the words of 3 John 1:4 are so very true:

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

My favorite shot

Thank you for sharing in our family’s joy. Thank you, Brandy, for thinking to pull out your cell phone and snap some pictures. And thanks to all of you who are praying for Connor in his new life.  Smile with me today!

Thanks for stopping by.