Today was a special day for our family! Raegan, Mario, Madison and I were baptized at our church! Then our whole family was dedicated. Being immersed in our church means that you are making a statement that Jesus is your Lord and Savior and that you are declaring a personal relationship with Him! I loved that we were able to do this together and before our church moves into it's new building.
I have to admit that yesterday I was having a hard time dealing with "life". Things are in major limbo with jobs, health issues, finances challenges, etc. I was questioning God and His will for my life! I began crying and questioning my worthiness to even be baptized. How could I stand before my church family and declare my personal relationship with God when I don't fully trust Him and question why He closes some doors of amazing opportunities in my life.
Then....I dropped to my knees and began praying....please God help me be stronger, to fully trust that Your plan is always far better than anything I could EVER imagine. Then I went straight to my Bible and began flipping pages and finding verse after verse of scriptures that confirmed His love for me. And then I realized......this is exactly why I should be baptized! I am turning to Him in prayer and reading His Holy word! A few years ago....I would have looked everywhere BUT to Him for the answers! The scripture that brought me back to reality was 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,: Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I have to admit that yesterday I was having a hard time dealing with "life". Things are in major limbo with jobs, health issues, finances challenges, etc. I was questioning God and His will for my life! I began crying and questioning my worthiness to even be baptized. How could I stand before my church family and declare my personal relationship with God when I don't fully trust Him and question why He closes some doors of amazing opportunities in my life.
Then....I dropped to my knees and began praying....please God help me be stronger, to fully trust that Your plan is always far better than anything I could EVER imagine. Then I went straight to my Bible and began flipping pages and finding verse after verse of scriptures that confirmed His love for me. And then I realized......this is exactly why I should be baptized! I am turning to Him in prayer and reading His Holy word! A few years ago....I would have looked everywhere BUT to Him for the answers! The scripture that brought me back to reality was 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,: Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
7 comments:
Ok, so yep, I pretty much bawled like a baby through the whole thing. Love you guys- every single one of you and thanking God or making each one of you just the way you are. Amy
Jenny, thanks for posting that! I needed an uplifting moment like that this morning. What a special day for your whole family! Miss you, Debbie
Jenny-What can I say. I feel like I know your family and am so proud of the steps you have taken in living out what God is to each of you. Of course you know I cried. I am so excited for you.I love you and as your sister in Christ I will lift each of you up in my prayers and know if you ever need to talk just call. Sorry I missed you at MHI last week.
Elaine
So do you ever wonder who lurks on your blog? I have been reading for months, but had to comment today.
Thank you so much for posting this. I am sitting in a hospital room with my daughter. Seeing you and your family take such a public step of faith was just what I needed to see today.
You have a wonderful family.
From Amy's friend.
We are so glad that we got to be there to see your family do this amazing thing for God. We love you.
Mom and Dad
That is awesome. I am so happy for you. Girl.... if we were worthy we wouldn't need a savior. It's our unworthiness that makes it all such a miracle. We are not loved because of what we do- we are simply loved without explanation. Just like you chose to bring Mario into your family and love him no matter what. That is how God loves us. It is beautiful seeing your family taking that step together. How cool that you would share that with us. I am sending big hugs from Texas. Love, Angel
Jenny,
Congratulations on your recent Baptism. My name is Craig Bland, I'm a Presbyterian Minister in Australia and we were Googling "Madison Bland" (our daughters name) and discovered your blog. I was wondering if your Madison would be interested in having a 'pen-pal' in Australia. Our Madison is 7.5yrs old (May 2001) and is in her 2nd year at school. If there is interest you can reply to me at theblandwagon@hotmail.com - hope to hear from you. God Bless,
Craig Bland.
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