One Night, 3 Surprises

Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Niceville Assembly

We all had looked forward to our first Celebration Wednesday with eager anticipation.  It was planned at the culmination of 3 weeks of remembrance of Christ's last days. We prayed for many baptisms, baby dedications, and relationships to be built.

What we did not plan on in the children's ministry was only just a moment away from the beginning of the service.  Shaun was prepping people to be baptized in the choir room.  He asked me to be there to help him remember names of "walk on" people during the evening.

Suddenly, in popped a familiar face.  It was Jordan, ready to be baptized, the youngest, yet first of our children to  make his decision.  I hugged him big, not expecting him actually.  I had just talked to each of my kidz on the front row before I left them to help with baptisms.  Taking each one of their little faces in my hands, I asked them if they were ready to be baptized, by their daddy, tonight.  Each one of them looked at me.  Ethan, "No." Jordan, "No mommy." Josie "Not yet mom."  Very content that they would make the decision when the Spirit of the Lord moved on them, I hugged each one and went to help Shaun.

So when that little face of JC walked into the music room I couldn't have been happier.  After I hugged him, I again took his face in my hands and asked him what it meant to be baptized.  He said with great confidence, "Well, mom, I'm starting a new life."  I asked him if he wanted to live for Jesus all his life and he said "Of course mom!", like there was really any other way to go!  So that settled it for me, he was ready.

I walked him to the tank and gave his little 7 year old hand to his Children's Pastor and Daddy.  His big smile showed how excited he was.  His Pastor Dad propped him up on his knee and asked him if he decided to make Jesus number one in his life.  He responded with an enthusiastic and obvious "Yeah Daddy!" So Shaun continued with "Jordan Cole Wenner, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Then under the water he went.  He came up with the most shining face with a smile that said he knew God was pleased.

I hugged him and we walked back to the side foyer.  While descending the stairs to get him all dried off Josie caught my eye.  Josie!  She's been asking questions, relaying her fears, and discussing the possibility of getting baptized for a couple of years, but hasn't been ready.  So when I saw her standing there in line, my heart leaped inside.

I felt rushed to get Jordan dried off so I could get back out to see Josie baptized.  But I made it.  I could see the tickle in her spirit that she was ready and knew why she was being baptized.  Stephanie had walked her out, hiding her behind as she proceeded.  Then told Shaun, "And this is JOSIE WENNER!"  Shaun's eyes lit up and welcomed his daughter into the tank.  "Josie-Lynn Kendall Wenner, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Then under the water she went.

Relief rolled over her face that the water was warm.  She dripped all the way to the stairs and down we went together.  I couldn't stop hugging her.  Didn't care if she was wet, I was so proud that she had made the decision.  So we got her dried off and went to head back to sit for the rest of the baptisms.  Josie walked ahead of me and scooted herself back to her spot with her friend Maddie Quick.

Then I caught out of the corner of my eye Stephanie handing Ethan to Shaun for his baptism!  I was so shocked, I ran right up on stage, looking like a "gumby" according to Jessica Borella.  The congregation laughed at the shock of these parents who now have had all their kidz desire to be baptized at the same time. I must have walked right past him when I came down the stairs with Josie and not even realized it!  "Ethan David Wenner, I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." And our "little middle" made his confession of faith in his Lord and Savior confirming his decision to live for Jesus all the days of his life.

Excitement competed with peace in my soul to know that God made this first Celebration Wednesday extra special for the Wenner family.  God you are so amazing, I will never cease to be in awe of your plans, purposes and your ways.  I thank you Lord that your ways are higher than mine and I praise you that you have blessed me with the beautiful scene of each one of my children being baptized for the first time by their Pastor Dad.

I am so blessed!