1. So I baptized our daughter yesterday. Through the weekend I had been thinking variously about how baptism came about and why we do it, and as I looked at little Eleanor and poured water over her head a lot of those thought flashed through my head. Things like how cool it is to live with a God who for thousands of years has loved his people so much that he graciously includes even their children in is covenant faithfullness. Before kids even know they have hands or a nose he is committed to them; he's committed to her. Also things like, the apostle Paul (the one who wrote most of the New Testament) also did this same thing, poured water on the head of people in the name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit. We just added one more to the number of the Kingdom.
But new thoughts came through my head, as dad looked at me and laid the charge of raising this little girl so she doesn't decide later to leave the Kingdom. He also reminded me that he had that charge with his kids, and seems to have done a pretty good job. It felt like a huge responsibility in that moment, like past generations were counting on me to raise future generations of Jesus followers. Later that day my grandfather (whom I respect immensely) said as I walked out the door, "keep doing what you're doing Ben." It felt like at once a recognition of the good work that I am a part of and a commission to remain faithful. All in all it was a day where I felt the weight of lots of responsibility...here comes the good part
As I put Wesley to bed I read him a story from his children's bible. We opened to the story of Jesus walking on water. We read the whole thing, through Peter getting out and sinking and Jesus helping him back into the boat. Usually when I read that story I think about how Peter got nervous and sank in the water (don't get nervous Ben). But last night it occurred to me: Peter walked on water. Peter, normal guy. Guy who gets it wrong sometimes. Guy who denied Jesus. Peter walked on water. I'm thinking if Peter can walk on water there is a possibility within us that we rarely tap.
Here's to seeing a challenge and then rising to meet it.
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