Ethan's Dedication

Okay! Don't be shocked!! I know 2 posts in one day is really over the top for me. I am really posting this for all of you that don't live close enough to have experienced this first hand.....

Most of you know that Ethan is very thoughtful, considerate and asks lots and lots of questions. Some of you may also know that, just like his father, he is very skeptical of everything. You have to be pretty knowledgeable about a subject to convince him. Some people may consider this disrespectful but those who know him know that he in no way intends to be. He just really wants to seek truth(that is funny b/c Steve's blog is called truthseekers).

All that to say that about 2 years ago Ethan noticed that some of the kids at church were taking communion. He started asking what it was and why they could take it and not him. Steve has always been so good at explaining things to the kids in a very thoughtful and clear way. SOO, began the serious discussion of who Jesus is, what he did for us and how we can be saved through him. This fascinated Ethan. Although he new all of the stories and had memorized countless verses in AWANA about salvation and sin, it wasn't until this time did he start putting the pieces together. We, of course, were thrilled and excited that our first born was interested in dedicating his life to Christ. When all was explained and Ethan seemed like he understood, then came the big question, "How do I know when I believe?". That seems like a harmless question but how do you explain belief & faith to a 5 year old. So began the turmoil that my, now 8 year old, son put himself through. Those of you that know him best know that he can stress like an adult and he did. There were many nights of questioning and crying b/c he wanted so badly to "believe". We told him countless times that he already did b/c he knew Jesus was the only son of God, that he came to earth and died on the cross for our sins and that he rose on the third day. We explained over and over again that was all he needed to become a Christian but like I said, he is very skeptical. 3 years past and one January night Ethan called us in his room after our evening family devotionals and happily said "Mom and Dad I know I believe now". He really couldn't explain why he could but we really didn't care why we were just so happy and relieved that he his agonizing was over. His whole demeanor changed toward belief and you could just tell relief washed over him. It has always bothered me that he carries so much burden but you could really see that this one was gone. I guess you could say he relinquished it to Jesus for the first time b/c he "believed" he could. He immediately began asking to be baptized. Our church had just built a new sanctuary and were in the process of building an outside baptistery. So on April 6, 2008 at 10:35 am our son was baptized by his father!! WOW! What a moment for us! Our first born dedicated his life to Christ and proclaimed it to everyone. What more could a mother ask for. Its what you pray for when they are still in the womb. It what you pray over them at night since birth. What is life about if not about Christ and our son now was counted among us as a believer. It brings chills to me even now. One of the best parts was that we were able to share it with my mom, dad and grandmother and Billy, Stacey, Suzi, Molly B and Jack Jack. That meant so much to us!!!

It was and still is one of the proudest days of our family's life. We have told him that now we will celebrate his "birthday" with family but we will have big party's and celebrate his "re-birthday" with style!!