With tears in his eyes, Justus, our 11 year old, came to us on Sunday and said, “I want to be baptized.”
Matt and I spent a good part of the next three days discussing and studying with Justus about this decision. Without exception, each time the subject came up, our tenderhearted boy’s eyes welled up with tears. He knew exactly what he wanted and he definitely understood the commitment he was about to make. Justus was ready.
And so, Wednesday night Matt baptized Justus. It was a beautiful evening.
A friend of mine captured the event on video. While it’s difficult to hear much of anything (except for the rejoicing afterward!), we’d like to share the video for you to watch:
He came up out of that water a new man. He let the tears flow while he was hugged by so many of our church family and friends. We are so proud of our son and his decision to follow Jesus.
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Yay! I am teary-eyed now. SO glad you got it on video. The kids have watched it three times. :-) Hugs!
Oh, how I love youtube! Thanks for sharing this…I will be sure to share it in the morning. How exciting!!
Amen. :)
Oh my. I got just a little bit teary-eyed. Congrats to your son! What a blessing!
That is so amazing! Congrats to your son and to you all for raising such a sweet boy =]
Awesome! Congratulations to all of you!
Wow!! That was an amazing video. Congratulations to your son. Thank you for sharing.
YAY YAY YAY!!! i’m glad you posted it here. the one he sent me didn’t come through. Justus my brother now. cool
Yay! I immediately broke out in song – To God be the Glory!
Tear jerker!! I’m so happy for your family! Hallelujah! =)
How wonderful! I look forward to that day with my own son!
There is nothing sweeter than raising a son who decides to devote his life to the Master of the Universe. Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
I was raised Catholic, so I was already baptized. But I have been honored to witness the baptism of my own daughter (as a Catholic), the baptism of a friend in the ocean at a wonderful free-thinking Mennonite-Brethren church, my brother re-baptized at the Baptist church he joined with his then-girlfriend/now-wife (he didn’t have to be re-baptized but he chose to do it), as well as the presentation of my niece, and several young children. I have also been present at the introduction to a young woman into a Sisters of Saint Francis religious order. It’s so amazing to see someone commit themselves to the Lord.
Praise God for Justus’ faith and baptism. So exciting to see!
Wow, this made me cry! This is my dream for my children someday when they get older (only 17 months now) and I can only imagine the joy and pride you are feeling as his mother!
Yay Justus!
Congratulations!
That is AWESOME!
That is wonderful that he was baptized. I also was baptized this past weekend. Rejoicing all around!
Yay for you! That’s wonderful!
I’m just so proud of Justus’s decision. I remember when he was just a tiny baby and now he’s a young man in Christ. How blessed you are. Hugs to you all.
My own gratituesday blog is up there with Mr. Linky :)
Welcome to the family, Justus!
Laura, thank you for not making light of this. I pray my babies hear the Lord call them at such an early age.
congratulations Justus! my daughter was just baptized two weeks ago. I cannot tell you the joy in my heart. praise the Lord for these children who commit their ways to the Lord and walk in this step of obedience.
Congratulations! How wonderful!
Oh Laura! What a wonderful gratituesday post you wrote today! I know your heart must be bursting with excitement! Congrats to Justus — and you and your husband for raising him in a God-centered home!
How exciting! I got teary-eyed like everyone else, and couldn’t help but imagine the day when I hope my children make the same decision.
I like the idea of Gratituesday! Thanks – it’s nice to be thinking about the good stuff. :)
This is beautiful. I love that it was his decision and I’m sure he will never forget it. As a mom of four boys also, I love reading your blog. Thank you for all you do!
Also moved to tears. Your church building looks very much like ours. I can’t wait for the day my son is baptized, and how awesome would that be if my husband could do that. I got to see my husband (raised Jewish) baptized last year. His is a story I should blog about.
How wonderful!
Praise the Lord!
Oh Laura!! That is SO wonderful!! There was a teen baptized at our church Sunday and every time there is a baptism I get teary-eyed thinking about my kids being baptized. I think my daughter who will be 9 in Jan has it on her mind. Not sure what age she will be ready, but my heart rejoices just thinking about it! Congratulations to you and your son! What a blessing!
My eyes mist as I read this. Everything on earth pales in comparison to knowing your child has taken Jesus’ hand. I am praising God with you, Laura! Tell Justis “welcome to the eternal Family!”
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! What joy must fill your heart, Laura!
What a blessing, Laura! I know you are a thankful, proud mama right now!
What a wonderful testimony! Awesome! God is so good!
Brought tears to my eyes! Welcome to the family Justus :)
What a beautiful moment, thank you for sharing! Our family rejoices with yours!!
I know you and your family are very proud of Justus. Tender hearts are easier to surrender.
GOD BLESS!!!
What a huge blessing! It is an honor to have him as a brother in our family also! I notice others mentioned getting teary eye’d watching so I see I’m not the only one. What a precious thing to see children come to the Lord and truely understand what that really means! God is so good! Please give him our best wishes as we rejoice with him and for him!
God bless Justus. I’m glad he is allowing us to share in this special event in his walk for the Lord.
Congrats! That’s so great for all of you! Can I ask, what kind of church do you attend?
Sure you can ask! :) We go to the Church of Christ.
I thought that baptism looked familiar :-) I am a member of the church
of Christ too! My husband is a preacher. Congrats again!
Congrats Laura! That is wonderful :)
I’m thankful for sisters in Christ! I’ve had one sister/friend who has been helping me through some struggles and praying with me on the phone. She’s really opened up about similar struggles and how God/Holy Spirit is/has really been working in her life. Her faith has grown tremendously this month and I’m so grateful that she’s helped me through scriptures, prayers, and communication!
How wonderful! Thank you for sharing such an amazing event.
Also moved to tears! My oldest son wanted to be baptized at a very eary age, and he never waivered in his love of Jesus. He is 36 years old now, and he and his wife just returned from a mission trip to Ethiopa last week. Praise God for leading these little ones.
How marvelous, how wonderful! There’s nothing like knowing your children will be with you forever! One of my boys will be baptized in a few weeks. The last one of the four!!
Congratulations!! It is so exciting each time one of our children make their decision to follow Christ! (It is neat to know that you also are a part of the church of Christ. I had thought we agreed about a lot of things as I have read your blogs!)
The best warm fuzzies:) I remember when each one of mine joined God’s family, nothing better on this earth.
That is wonderful Laura!
Rejoicing with you!!
Did you know that baptism was for priests in the old testament. Jesus was baptized to be the head priest of Israel Exodus 19:6. Numb 19:7 The priests were to wash in water to be clean.Israel was to be a kingdom of priest to go out to the gentile world because they were without Christ Eph 2:11. Israel was God’s chosen people and He dealt only with them Matt 15:24. He ignored that lady because she was a gentile, not a Jew. Israel rejected their King and the kingdom and now salvation has come to ALL, not just Israel. Baptism today is not by water but the Holy Spirit the moment we trust Christ as our only hope of salvation Eph 4:5.
We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, but the bible is pretty clear on the requirement of baptism by immersion.
I don’t know why my comment looks funky like this.
Oops, I guess it only looks funky while typing. Silly me.
Joy! Thank you Justus for sharing this video. We love you.
Praise God!
Yay! that’s such a cool thing!!! My oldest (age 6) just took his first communion last Sunday. It is so cool to see them growing in their faith!
Anna
I am a member of the church of Christ too! I emailed Laura to ask her the same question.
Linda
Me too!
:-)!!
Watching my two oldest children being baptized, those two times are the most proudest moments I have ever had! There’s NOTHING that can top that.
I’m unfamiliar with your particular church. Is your husband a priest, or can any of the men baptize?
Congratulations on having your son make this choice at a young age. That’s so important.
Any of the Christian men can baptize others, and Justus chose his daddy. :)
What wonderful news! I am so happy for Justus. Baptism is such a beautiful way to publicly declare the new life we have in Jesus Christ!