Last Sunday the Sacraments of Holy Communion and Baptism were both celebrated at my church. To be honest, I was really missing the opportunity to be the pastor leading worship that day.  My heart was longing to bless the bread and wine, to serve the people.  My heart was longing to bless the water, hold the babies and baptize them.  God’s grace was being poured out.

Then something quite special happened.  One of the older sisters of the twin babies who were being baptized became so full of joy that she could not be still.  You can see my artistic expression of her in the photo above.  She was clapping and dancing on the chancel area. Her beautiful curls bounced as she danced. It seemed the Holy Spirit filled her as well, and then, filled with grace, she expressed on behalf of the entire congregation the true meaning of baptism!  God had just claimed her little brother and sister as true children of God, and all of God’s family, both in Heaven and on earth, rejoiced to welcome them and love them exuberantly and unconditionally.  Wow!  No one could have said it better than this little child.

I so loved the moment that I knew I had to write about it.  I noticed the young woman in front of me, who was part of the family, had taken a photo.  I wrote my email on a piece of paper, hoping she might send the photo to me.  Then I was hesitant, thinking to myself, “I am a stranger to her!”. Finally I whispered something to her before the closing song and handed her the paper.  She actually sent the photo to me instantly.  I was surprised.

Then another something quite special happened.  After worship I thanked the woman and she said, “I recognized your name.  You were at Bear Creek UMC years ago.”  “Yes!”, I replied, “that is where I began my ministry.”  She continued, “I remember you.  In fact, you were the one who baptized these children’s father!” I looked over at that young Dad holding those two babies in his arms.  Truly, in that moment my heart leaped with joy.  It felt like all had come full circle. It felt like a family reunion. We were all there.  We had all come home.  It was a HOLY MOMENT!  I just can’t stop smiling about it. God is so good!

nk