It takes a village......or a church?

Yesterday, our family had the privilege to watch our oldest son, David, get baptized. It was a moving experience and from beginning to end, I was struck at just how many people played an important part in our son's life, and his decision to give his life to Christ. The minister who baptized David yesterday, Rev. Bill Smith (Coach Bill as David calls him), baptized Rick and I when we joined the church a decade ago. He also runs the sports ministry where David played baseball in the spring. It was shortly after that season ended that David prayed the prayer of salvation. Bill, the coaches and the parents who helped out, no doubt played an important part in that decision. His first Sunday School teacher, Aaron, came up to him and congratulated him yesterday. I remembered many Sunday's when David was a toddler, dropping him off at Sunday School as he was crying all the way in, and Aaron would pick him up, set him on his lap, and that is where he would remain until we came to get him. How grateful I am for the years Aaron so lovingly cared for David. It was there, in Aaron's arms, he first learned of God's love for him. He also learned in those early years that church is a safe and loving place. So many of David's teachers were there. From school teachers to Sunday School teachers; to ladies who taught him in Vacation Bible School. Lyn Smith, his 2nd grade teacher from last year, came to see him in the baptistery before we went in to tell him she loved him and was going to be watching him. How grateful I am for Carmel Christian School and the lives they are shaping there at this very moment. They have made a huge impact on our family. All of our family and friends who came from around the area to support him yesterday. How often they have prayed for him, loved him, and encouraged him. Rick had invited many of his co-workers to come and they did. He had asked me why I didn't invite anyone and I thought about it for a moment and I said "Most of my close friends are already here!" Through MOPS, WEE School, mission trips and so many other areas of our church, our family's closest friends are at Carmel. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I don't know about that, but I do know it takes a church. Some days when it doesn't seem like what I do as a mom matters, or as a Sunday school teacher matters, or if going to church even matters, I will remember this day. Because on this day, all the things that many people have done over the years mattered in my little boys life. For my child's name is written in the book of life forever. Forever. What an awesome feeling that is!