The Story Behind The Dunk Tank

I've had a couple people ask me what led to me being baptized yesterday (see previous post) so I'm going to post the story here.

I grew up Catholic. Needless to say in my family, religion was not seen as a means of salvation but more of a family tradition. We were Catholic because everyone else before us was and you get baptized as a baby, First Communion, and all that other stuff simply because everyone else did it. I mean, my mom once said that as long as you know about God (whether you believe it or not) you can be called a Christian. She still thinks that. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a crazy bible-thumper. Boy is she way off.

It wasn't until about 5 years ago that God had put two incredible people in my life (winks at Laurie and Jamie). They welcomed me into their Christian life by bringing me to church and helping me take those first steps. During the process I realized that the basis of faith was there except no one ever showed me how to use it. So I left Georgia a saved person.

I did my profession of faith at the Nazarene church here in Fayetteville by becoming a member through faith. It was the right thing to do but the wrong place to do it. I could tell you stories about that church that would make you cringe. Needless to say, I left that church after a year. I felt very betrayed by the fact that people say the love God but they can't love their fellow man. But I kept on truckin and looked for a new church. After numerous tries I ended up at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church only because I was tired of going around town and getting disappointed.

My sister kept saying, "You need to get baptized" but I didn't see the need because I had it done when I was a baby (that whole family tradition thing again). It wasn't until a few months ago when I became great friends with another family and joined a great Sunday School class that I realized I was stuck. I wasn't growing in Christ and I couldn't figure out why. After a lot of thought and counseling from our new pastor (who is the most wonderful-in-every-way pastor I've ever met and I hope the next church I go to has one just like him), it occured to me that what I needed was the one thing that I avoided: a baptism.

What I liked the most was that Pastor Mitch said that this was my day and I could have it done in any way I wished. The only thing I asked for was that chairs be set right on the altar so that the kids (and Jason) would be able to get the best view. It went off without a hitch although I was incredibly nervous. My sweet little boy managed to get a laugh out of everyone when he asked, very loudly, "Mommy you takin a bath?" And before you ask, the water was warm.

I didn't say anything while I was up there because of a few reasons: 1. I had already done a profession of faith, 2. We both agreed to forgo the whole membership thing because we'll be leaving soon, 3. I'm getting over strep and I was afraid that if I started talking I would start coughing nonstop again. So it was basically go in, Pastor said a few words, I got dunked, and that was it. Although I was VERY tempted to jump in with a cannonball! (I would have only done that if it was videotaped)

So that was it. Someone asked me afterwards how I felt. You know how I feel? I feel "clean".