Why I
Count, After All, And You Do Too
by Elaine Stock
Like
any other child without the knowledge of details, I too had whacky and
grandiose ideas of what I wanted to become in life. For instance, at the age of
6 I thought it would be neat (we
didn’t use the word “cool” back when I was a kid!) to be a trash collector and
ride around on a big truck ridding New York City of its garbage. Fortunately,
that dream faded. In late childhood I wanted to become a brain surgeon . . .
until high school biology labs taught me that I couldn’t handle dissection very
well, despite loving the topic of how bodies function.
In
my junior high school years I wanted to become the next Neil Simon. Lack of
encouragement dribbled in and my desire oozed out. In college I wanted to
become a family therapist/marriage counselor, but was questioned by others that
if my own family was falling apart, let alone I’d never dated, what could I
possibly contribute to others?
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| Courtesy Google Images |
Okay.
Believe it or not, this is not a post on regrets in life or a slam against
others who may have ebbed and flowed in and out of my life through the years. I
haven't surrendered my dream of writing, but the desire to become
a playwright has morphed into becoming an author of novels. What I do want to
share is that on January 5th I will be baptized by immersion. I
thought this Christmas season would be a wonderful time to announce this.
Is
this my first baptismal? No. Growing up in a household without Christ I felt
stilted and empty-hearted and didn’t quite understand why. As a young adult and
a newly married wife to a Christian man I was baptized by sprinkling into the
Christian faith. Allow me to backtrack a sec. One of my earliest memories is
sensing a presence of God. I believe He led me to make the next step of my
faith proclamation in my young 20s. Ah. I believed I’d done the “right” thing
and could finally settle down for a happily ever after. Am I hearing you
snicker? That’s okay. I understand. Life isn’t that proverbial bowl of cherries.
It wasn’t meant to be.
So,
I’m a Christian. Why this whole immersion thingy? And why in this stage of my
life? Because, I fully believe this is where, once again, Christ has led me.
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| Courtesy Google Images |
Baptismal
by immersion isn’t a guarantee that I will be “saved.” Nor is it the ultimate
earthly ritual that cleanses me of my sins. Christ’s blood was shed on the
Cross for these reasons. What it is then is my decision to immerse, submerse, and
emerge. To die, be buried, and to be resurrected. This is my hope. My belief.
It is my own, unique, decision. I make no judgment of others. I want to stand
before God one day and have Him say that He is indeed proud of me, His
daughter.
And
God loves each and every one of us. And that is why you count too.
Where is God leading you next on your
faith journey? I’d love if you’d share.
You haven't forgotten me, God
The child whose first memory
Was of my daddy leaving for the day, that was hard
But You, My Father, were there for me.
I didn't know you by name
Yet, sensed You were always by my side
Others discouraged, hurt, played a game
While you encouraged, loved, never opting to hide.
In my youthful rebellious years
When I dared to wonder and roam
You continued to smile and wipe away my fears
Guiding me to my one and only home.
No earthly luxuries spoil me
Daily I'm learning that what must be
Is your love for imperfect me is your decree
And I give my heart to thee.
Elaine Stock 12/25/13
My own Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Wanting
to share great news by hearing from you with your own joys. (Tweet This)
Elaine
Stock on Everyone’s Story. Say what?! (Tweet This)
