Susannah was baptized into the family of faith this morning at Immanuel United Methodist Church.

Every time I hear the baptismal vows, I get choked up. Tears well up in my eyes as the enormity of the task before us parents hits me again. “Will you nurture this child in Christ’s holy church, that by your teaching and example she may be guided to accept God’s grace for herself, to profess her faith openly, and to lead a Christian life?”

We were blessed to have two of Susannah’s five grandparents, and one aunt, uncle, & cousin present today. I feel so grateful that our kids are growing up surrounded by an extended family that isn’t just joined by blood, but by our saving belief in the power of His Blood. Sometimes I worry about this sacred duty – to teach them in every word, every action, about God’s amazing grace – about Christ’s preeminence in our lives – but it’s comforting to have the support of our fellowship of believers. And that’s why I love the last part of our baptismal covenant: the congregational pledge. “With God’s help, we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that this child, surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.”