On Sunday I had a tremendous honor and privilige. I had the opportunity to baptize my two youngest kids at our church, McLean Bible Church (Prince William Campus). What an honor to be able to participate in such a special ocassion in their faith journey. Of course it is great to see your kids come to follow Christ but to participate in an outward, physical, and public demonstration of their faith is just an amazing feeling Ironically, (or not) on Sunday (May 22) in the 22nd chapter of Proverbs (for the 22nd day of the month) is a verse many of us know well,”Teach a child about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 HCSB). That same theme was repeated throughout Proverbs 23 the next day. I am so thankful that what we have been trying to teach our children, despite our own faults and shortcomings as parents, they have actually embraced. Its a great feeling to know what you are doing is working.
Of course I also know how important it is that we keep praying for our kids. They are still relatively young and are going to be faced with a lifetime of choices. Although baptism is a tremendous display and symbol of faith it is not a magic shield that is going to keep all negative influence away. If anything, Sunday has made me more determined then ever to pray for my kids, their faith, and their future.
As much as I love the outdoors I know that is not the most important legacy I want to leave them. Yet if that is all I concern myself with, that is all they will see.
What about you? Are you leading your kids, your family on a faith journey? Where does the needle on your compass point? Do you pray for your kids? What legacy do you want to leave?
Doug, thank you for writing about you children,s baptism. Their is no greater feeling or since of accomplishment that brings more joy to my heart than knowing that my kids are walking with the Lord. More than the bugle of an Elk or the Gobble of a wild turkey! After seeing all the loss of life here in Joplin, peoples perspectives have changed. We can’t take anything with us when we die except those who have received Christ as their Lord and Savior and hopefully that is our family and friends. It makes us all ask the question. What do I spend the majority of my time investing in? Hopefully it is the eternal and not the temporary! God bless! Great article brother!