Annabelle asked Jesus to come into her heart to be the Lord and Savior of her life this summer. To say it was the highlight of my summer is an absolute understatement. She had been talking about making this decision for a long while and we discussed, talked through, talked about, chewed over, and then did it all over again. Adam and I just felt this huge responsibility as her parents to not allow her to make a decision she didn't understand. (We act as if we have all of the control.)
Anyway, one night in her bed she started bawling and asking me if she could please ask Jesus to come into her life. I went and got Adam and we went through the plan of salvation again with her again and she prayed her little prayer. It was amazing for me to think about my child understanding she is a sinner in need of a Savior and wanting Jesus to be the Lord of her life.
Fast forward a few months, we are at this event that a church in our community put on and they announce they are going to be doing baptisms for anyone who has accepted Christ. Annabelle runs up to me, wide eyed and says, "Mommy I really want to be baptized." I told her that this wasn't our church and that we should be baptized at our church. She seemed somewhat content with that answer.
About a month later, our church announced they were doing baptisms for their fifth anniversary. I mentioned it to Annabelle once. She reminded me about it and got so very excited thinking about getting baptized.
That morning, I was a little nervous because although as far as I can see, Annabelle made a genuine profession of faith, she is very shy in crowds and I had no earthly idea what she would say or do at the baptism. Also, our pastor that morning suggested Adam do the baptism! He quickly decided he would do it and after our church lunch Adam baptized Annabelle.
It's kind of embarrassing to say, but honestly, for a split second, I wanted to take some kind of credit. I thought, "I must be a good mom. My kid wants to know Jesus" and right about the second I had that thought God reminded me of His great grace. Sweet Annabelle has been through all of our craziness. All. of. it. Without going into details here, let me just say, it was CLEARLY nothing I have done that drew her to Christ. Christ drew her to Himself in spite of my motherhood with His relentless love and unending grace and I am indescribably thankful!! I cannot wait to see what God does with her little life!
