“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’ And he laid his hands on them and went away.”

Matthew 19:13-15

I am thankful that my parents baptized me as an infant because I cannot remember a time when I did not know the name of Jesus. Baptism washed away my sins and clothed me in the righteousness of Jesus who died to save me. It sent the Holy Spirit to indwell me. It gave me certainty that my eternal home will be with God in heaven. There is no greater gift they could have given me!

My parents followed my baptism with teaching. They taught me about Jesus through prayers recited before meals and at bedtime, and by reading books to me. When I was old enough, Catechism classes provided me formal teaching that took me through the steps of making my first confession and receiving my first communion. My mother made sure we attended church regularly during this time, although my father did not come with us.

I am not at all certain why we stopped attending church regularly after this. Yet, as I came to understand later in my journey, I already belonged to God. He never left me. The ways of the world that overtook me later did not change this. They only clouded my perception for a time…(Link to Loss & Lost)

LINKS TO THE SEASONS IN MY JOURNEY WITH GOD:
Season 1: Baptized & Taught
Season 2: Loss & Lost
Season 3: Pursued & Awakened
Season 4: Welcomed & Transforming
Season 5: Proclaiming