February 20 – “Only one”

Zakary’s baptism was truly a special occasion.  He entered the water as confident as an Olympic swimmer and answered his Dad’s questions affirming his faith just as confidently.  And looking on with pride were his brothers (baby sister was in the nursery, and I have to say, four-year-old Luke did a fabulous job in Big Church), us, Christi’s parents and brother and sister-in-law and their kiddos, the Winkles (his “other” set of grandparents), another Winkle or two (Corbin and Rachel, the newlyweds), and a host of his Waco church family. 

After church we retired to the house where Christi had arranged for a feast of Mexican food from their favorite local restaurant.  Zak’s request for his baptism celebration meal was a simple one: tacos.  Well, tacos abounded.  Soft tacos.  Hard tacos.  Beans, rice, meat, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa, queso, and even three or four bags of chips for nachos.  Quite the “simple” feast. 

After the food settled, Grandfathers BobBob and DadDad presented Zak with the blessings we write for him.  Then Josh presented him with a pocket watch to be engraved with Jeremiah 29:11, so he would always have an heirloom to remember his special day by.

Before long, Christi’s family all had to leave for home.  And Josh and Christi had meetings.  And Zak and Caleb had drama rehearsal for an upcoming program at church.  So Chris and I had the enviable task of hanging out at the house with Luke and AnnaGrace.  We managed to suffer through it.  Actually, it was great fun.  Luke regaled us with displays of his basketball prowess.  AnnaGrace, not to be overshadowed, bullied her way onto the court (read here, living room floor) and performed some “ball” feats of her own.  Quite the burgeoning athletes there.

We found out that Zak had an interesting experience at drama rehearsal.  The entire stage area is being used for the production.  Apparently some doors to the baptistery area had been left ajar, so the director asked Christi to take care of it.  However, when she reached the room, she couldn’t locate the light switch.  She could, however, see Zak on stage, so she got his attention and asked for his assistance.  He joined her, confident he could take care of the situation since he had just seen his Dad do it that morning.  Sure enough he found the light switch and leaned forward over the baptistery to deal with the doors.  And then … he slipped.  Now if not for his cat-like reflexes you can imagine what could have happened.  He managed to get hold of the side wall, however, and walked away from the potentially embarrassing situation with just … well, shall we say … some clean shoes and socks.  OK, Zak, here’s the thing.  You only need one baptism.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 says, “’For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.  ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.’”

Father, thank you for Zak and his confidence in his decision to follow you.  Amen.