The Most Important Family Affair

The times when all our family is together are too few and far between, but they each hold significance. Last year, my grandson (on the left) shared about Jesus' heart for a broken and sinful people (that's all of us!) with his cousin (in the lime green shirt). This led to him asking me all about it over pizza one night while we were enjoying slices with his family. He asked incredible questions- deep ones. I could see by the look on his face that he understood the gravity of his separation from God and that he understood that only by receiving the gift of Jesus Christ and turning toward Him would pay for his sin and gain him entry into heaven upon his death. Weighty stuff! (It IS weighty! Read the Bible's book of John, chapters 1-3 and Romans, chapters 1-6 to understand these timeless truths.) 

My younger grandson prayed right then on the spot in the restaurant and gave his life to Jesus. Then he asked about baptism, saying his older cousin had explained it. He wondered if he had the facts right. When I asked more questions to clarify his understanding, it was obvious he knew it was a step of obedience in his newfound faith, one he wanted to experience. Since we were in a restaurant, I joked I could dump water on his head if I had to, but it would be better to do it later.

This year, we were enjoying the cool water of the pool, beating the July summer heat. Unprompted except by God and his own heart, he asked me, "Grandpa, can you baptize me now?" His parents gave their approval, and with his brother right there, and his cousin at his side, the youngest and newest follower of Jesus in our family, was baptized. I asked him all the appropriate questions you'd expect and asked him if he was ready to be dunked. Then, with his cousin helping me, we baptized him in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The small crowd around him erupted in cheers and with clapping. What an awesome gift God gives every believer to share the Truth and then also to be a part of a baptism afterward! I'm nothing special, but God sees each one of us as important and worthy of doing His joyful work!