Monday, August 7, 2017, I came home from work, trekked upstairs and stretched out on my bed. It was about 4:30 and I was getting ready to watch the evening news. As I'm laying there, Isaac (my 12yr old son) walks into the room. He places his arms across his chest, Wakanda style, and says "Isaac, do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?" I quizzically repeated the question and he responded "Yes!" I then asked him if he wanted to be baptized, to which he replied, "Yes!" I said 'ok', not realizing that the upcoming Sunday would be the day.
We went through the week and he continued repeating the question. He never wavered. I sure did. I wasn't sure if he'd go through with it. I mean, he could very well get to church and completely change his mind. We hadn't discussed his expression or desire with anyone, so there was the whole 'protocol' of baptism ANNNND, we hadn't had the talk, with him, to explain what baptism meant. I mean after all, Isaac has autism....how could he possibly know what it meant to be baptized.
Sunday, August 13, 2017 and we're at church. It's a normal Sunday for us and we're going along with our normal routine. Isaac doesn't seem anxious or different, so I wonder if he's going to follow through with his plan. Little did I know, that it was His plan.
As the morning goes on, I ask Isaac if he's ready to be baptized and he replies in the affirmative. I honestly thought that he would change his mind at any given minute. I shared with one of Isaac's "aunties" that he was being baptized today and she asked me if I was sure, baptism was still happening? I was confused. She then shared that she thought the baptismal pool had been drained and there wouldn't be any candidates baptized. I was horrified! After we've come this far. Oh, God...please don't let this happen. After a few inquiries, we were assured that everything was a go.
I took Isaac to the dressing room area. He was completely normal...walking around smiling and hugging me. He said 'hi' to a few of the Deaconesses. He was calm. I, on the other hand, was totally freaking out! As the moment of truth drew nigh, I was still not sure he was going to go through with it. Honestly, I thought he would put one foot in that water and say, 'no baptism'! BUT GOD!!!
I decided to go out to the sanctuary and make myself visible to Isaac. I'd stand in the chapel where we sit, so he could see me and hopefully that would help him overcome any 'fear' he may have. Isaac was looking for me when he finally stepped into the water...but Isaac had no fear. BUT GOD!!!
You've probably figured out that Isaac was baptized on Sunday, August 13, 2017. What you need to know, is that he was able to answer the minister when he asked "Isaac Jones, do you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal savior?" He was able to answer with a resounding "YES!", when the doctor said that he may never speak a work. BUT GOD!!!
Pastor Troy was supposed to be out of town, but he shared that something wouldn't let him leave town. He shared that he began feeling this 'tug' early in the week...Monday to be exact. It was Monday when Isaac initially said that he wanted to be baptized. BUT GOD!!!
I sat and watched, over and over, boys, young men and men, being baptized. I wondered when the day would come that Isaac would be in that place. God assured me that I would see it. I kept envisioning Isaac in the pool, when each young man went in...I imagined seeing him...I imagined him saying 'YES'...and on that day, it happened.
The ultimate beauty of this promise kept, is that I remembered when I had gone through a trying time in my life and I wanted to recommit my life. I was baptized...wait for it...on Sunday, August 13, 2006. BUT GOD!!!
HE IS A PROMISE KEEPER!!!
