As I chased my 3 year old around the house trying to convince him to put his socks and shoes on so we could go to church, I felt my heart harden. I was so frustrated with him for not listening. I was frustrated that I had children who were under the weather. I was frustrated with the snow and cold. And I was frustrated that my husband was lying in bed with his cracked ribs still not feeling well. I was not in a good place as I drove through the snow to church.

I was not in a good place as I drove through the snow to church.

I turned on some Christian music and took some deep breaths as I drove trying to calm myself. As I drove, I began to notice how beautiful the snow was on the trees and the big flakes coming down. And the cars on the side of the road! Prayers for safety and an attitude change.

At church, still with a heart that was a bit overwhelmed and hard, I was met with love. Love from members/friends who were concerned with Justin’s well being and mine. I was given many hugs and many offers of help as we wait for Justin to heal. My heart began to soften as you, the members of St. Luke, loved and cared for your pastor’s family.

At church, still with a heart that was a bit overwhelmed and hard I was met with love.

As we entered church the transformation continued. Songs of God going with us and never leaving us played. The entire service was all about the amazing work of God in baptism; none of my work.

I realized and heard again that in the promises of my baptism I am not alone. Nothing that I do effects or makes a difference in the fact that I am a child of God. He goes before me guiding and leading. Baptism is a visible sign to me in times of trouble and uncertainty that I belong to God.

Baptism is a visible sign to me in times of trouble and uncertainty that I belong to God.

Baptism is not a victory of our will. It is a victory of God’s will. And His will is stronger than mine. So as I listened to the music, the sermon, and watched and heard promises made as children were brought into the family through baptism, my heart was softened. I was changed again. I was renewed.

My life is not much easier today. There is more snow. My to-do list is long with big and annoying things to accomplish. My children are home again from school, and my husband is still hurting from his cracked ribs.


This morning I woke up with a changed heart. This morning I rely on God’s promises that he goes before me. In my baptism I have the promise that I am not alone.  I have been washed over with water and God’s word of promise and everything is changed! At least for a few hours!

[youtube id=”oRgSk_-U3Oc” width=”600″ height=”350″]