35th day of Lent

Baptism is on my mind this morning. Yesterday was a day of privilege for me. What a joy it was to baptize a baby - Jacob Wynne Billingsley. He slept through the entire “holy” event. I’ve had infants scream, spit up, soil their diaper, but never one sleep through the entire moment of baptism. He was precious. Then I attended the baptism of a friend’s granddaughter at the Camp Glisson Chapel. Georgia Leigh Thrasher was equally precious. She was wide awake and looked a little skeptical about all the attention.

Both baptisms were a wonderful reminder to me of the tremendous value of the church of Jesus Christ. It is family. It is inclusive, even of babies that don’t really have a clue (yet) about soul matters. It is a place of “prevenient” grace. The church is the place that I needed long before I ever knew I needed it. Despite all its warts and imperfections, it is God’s place for God’s children. It is a family place.

As I enter this week called “Holy,” I begin by remembering my baptism. I was included long before I ever knew what it meant to be included. I was loved long before I understood love. I was forgiven long before I knew how I would need forgiveness. I was embraced even when I pushed embrace away. I was counted worthy before I could see any worthiness in myself at all.

Baptism is on my mind. I remember it, and I give thanks.