I May Have Ruined Our Easter Baptism

This week was particularly special to me regarding baptism, because it was the first time I have ever had the honor of doing a baptism myself. One of our students, Nate, wanted to be baptized and requested that I do it. What a privilege, but what pressure! Some of you pastors who do this on a regular basis have to be able to remember the first person you baptized. You may not admit this, but I spent the night before reciting how I intend to say things, and even “dunked” my two year old in the bathtub to see if I had it all worked out. Even after all of that, I was terribly nervous on Sunday. What if I dropped my mic into the water? What if I mess all the words up and say something ridiculous, even inappropriate? What if I slip on some water behind the tub and fall in on top of Nate? What about all the guests we have on Easter? If I screw it up will they ever come back? Will I ruin Easter for everyone?

Fortunately all went well. I did make two mistakes however. First of all, I didn’t get Nate’s head entirely under the water. It was all wet except for a little dry circle right above his forehead. I didn’t have the guts dunk him again after I saw it. Secondly, I had every intention to tell the church how I have seen Nate choose to not follow the crowd, and make his own decisions even as a middle schooler. Instead I said “Nate doesn’t swim with the rest of the fish if you know what I mean.” I’m not even sure if I “know what I mean” - do you?