As you know, I (like so many other parents) enjoy an opportunity to talk about my kids.  The things they do and say continue to entertain me and amaze me.  Sometimes it’s a silly moment that adds some laughter to life.  At other times, it’s a statement or observation that exhibits some interesting insight (even though they don’t even realize it).  It reminds me of Jesus’ words in Luke 10:21, “...I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.”  In regards to this statement, H. Leo Boles wrote, “People who refuse to see and accept spiritual truth gradually render themselves unable to understand it; those of little spiritual apprehension, mere babes in experience, yet willing to get and use what they can, gain more and more capacity to apprehend that kind of truth; thus it is hidden from the first and revealed unto the latter class” (1974, A Commentary on the Gospel According to Luke, Nashville, Gospel Advocate Co, pg 221).  May we always be the class of individuals that seeks spiritual truth, accepts it in a willing manner and continues to hunger for more!

     Now, back to my topic at hand.  The other night I was telling Delevan a Bible story about Jesus - one that I’ve shared with him before.  I was telling him of the time when Jesus went to John the Baptizer and requested that John baptize Him.  I told him how John first hesitated but then submitted to Jesus’ request.  I shared with Delevan how that Jesus came out of the water, the voice from heaven was heard and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove.  Delevan’s eyes lit up, an expression came across his face and then...he said something.  A comment about Jesus coming up out of the water?  No.  Something about God’s voice ringing out from heaven?  No.  An observation concerning the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove?  No.  Instead, with a big smile he said in an excited and elevated voice, “That’s what you do.  You baptize people.”  Oh, if only we would carry that type of excitement and fervor over the idea of baptizing people into Christ (Gal 3:27) and therefore into the kingdom of God (Acts 2:47) and into a lively hope (1 Pet 1:3).  For, what we are truly excited about, we usually pursue with fervor.  But then the glimmer in Delevan’s eyes faded and his expression of excitement changed.  Then, he said the words that carry some heavy weight with them, “At least you used to.  You’ve stopped baptizing people.  Why, Daddy?”  Honestly, those words caught me off guard and have made me do some serious thinking.  A “child”ish observation?  I don’t think so.