“Don’t be angry at life. It is not life that is frustrating you, it is you who are not listening to life.”
~ Osho
Even though my mother raised me in the little Pentecostal church that her mother helped found, she herself was never baptized. At least that was true until today. If you’re unfamiliar with Baptism, in the Christian tradition it’s the moment when you are washed free of sin, purified, and welcomed into the whole of the Christian Church. I had mentioned baptism back in February when I visited Central Christian Church in Lexington. In that post I said I really wanted to photograph a baptism. I had no idea the first opportunity I would have would be my mother.
At last Saturday’s family soiree, just as she was getting in the car to leave, Mom told me what she had planned. It was to be a very private, quiet affair just after Sunday service when the congregation had gone home. It was perfectly beautiful in its solitude, and I was very honored to be present. Dad helped Pastor Jeff Farmer perform the immersion/submersion ritual which made it doubly special.
I’ve seen many Pentecostal baptisms. It’s not at all unusual for the immersed to become overwhelmed by emotions, and with good reason. The reality of the moment and all that has led to it – in the person’s life coupled with the historical and spiritual significance of the rite itself – can be a powerful thing. Mom, however, was very calm (not surprising) and came out smiling (also not surprising). As you can see it was a happy occasion, and I was really happy for her. I see baptism as a binding contract with God wherein one pledges to love and be loved as Christ commanded. That’s not always easy for us humans. There’s much more to this story than just mom’s baptism, though. You’ll have to wait until tomorrow to hear/see the rest of the story. I hope it will be worth your wait.
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