I had the great joy of baptizing my daughter on August 30, 2020. Here is a letter I’ve drafted to give her to celebrate the day.

Abigail,

As your father, brother in Christ, and pastor, I celebrate your baptism.  I’m overjoyed to know that you’ve made Jesus “the boss of your life.”  I hear this decision in your words, see it in your actions, and love the smile on your face.  I will forever treasure the image of you jumping for joy the moment before you stepped into the baptismal water.

I pray your baptism is cemented in the memory of your heart.  May you spend the rest of your life following your Lord into uncomfortable places.   It is outside of your comfort zone that you will experience His greatness and participate in His great work.  This is not done in your own strength, but in the power of the cross and empty tomb.  

Your mother and I commissioned a piece of artwork prior to your birth.  The framed citation of Matthew 22:37-39 has hung over your bed the entirety of your life.  It has been our prayer for you every day.  Now that you have been buried with Jesus in baptism and raised to walk in newness of life, may this passage take on vibrant meaning for you.  May you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and may you love others as yourself.  

There will be moments in the years ahead in which your faith will be tested.  In those moments please remember three things: 1) God is BIG and always by your side 2) God’s power is made perfect in your weakness and 3) Your mom and dad love you.  I’ll share other things along the journey.

As you walk hand in hand with Jesus: May you deny yourself and take up your cross daily (Luke 9:23), remain in Jesus and bear much fruit (John 15:5),  seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33), keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25), speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).  May you join the Apostle Paul and declare, “For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). 

Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your baptism day.  I count it among my greatest honors.

Love you,

Dad