For most people, today is Valentines Day. A day where people express their love for another through a variety of ways such as gifts and flowers. For me, this date holds another memory from the time I was only 12 years of age and in the 7th grade.
On the evening of Sunday, February 11, 1990, I had just finished getting ready for bed and instead of getting into bed, I made my way downstairs to talk to my dad. He was sitting in his chair reading a book, watching television, and taking a nap. I remember walking over to him and sitting down in the floor and as I began to cry, I said, "I want to get baptized."
He sat up in the recliner, turned off the television, an laid down his book. I don't recall exactly what he said, but it was some type of "I'm proud of you." Then he asked "why are you crying?"
I didn't know why. I wasn't sure if it was because of the way I perceived baptism at the time that I thought if something were to happen to me I'd go to hell or if it was a relief that I finally told someone. My dad told me to go upstairs and tell my mom, she would be excited to hear it. So, I did.
The next morning, my parents asked me how I was doing and if I still felt the same about my decision. I did. So, on Wednesday night, our little church gathered together for a mid-week bible study and that's when I decided I would confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in front of the congregation and I was baptized with the understanding of
Acts 2:38 - my sins are forgiven and I have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Growing up in churches of Christ, it was impossible to not have that verse memorized.
It just happened to be on Valentine's day. Even though my theology and understanding of Scripture has changed and developed many times in the last 18 years, I still look back on that evening as one of the most defining moments of my life.
