House on the Rock

 I remember being about six months into my relationship with Joe and thinking that nothing in the world could possibly make me happier than being engaged to him. I Pinterest-saved every ring I saw; I dreamed of our wedding day; I made lists of all the details on every scrap piece of paper. In my mind, nothing would beat that feeling.

December 5, 2021 was the one-year anniversary of our engagement. And yet, by the grace of God, the same day one year later far surpassed even the most joyous excitement of his proposal. My sweet love was baptized at Castleview Church - a day full of excitement, tears, celebration, and praising God. I never, ever want to forget it.

He'd been thinking about getting baptized for about a year. He did it at his home church when he was twelve, but mostly because his friends were and it was the natural next step after his confirmation class. The Lord continued to stir his heart toward that public declaration of faith, and by the fall of this past year, the stirring became unavoidable. He felt so strongly that he needed to be baptized for real.

As we prepared for the day, we started praying like crazy. It was possible that friends and family members who were not walking with Jesus would be in attendance out of support for Joe. Every small-group-prayer request included Joe's baptism day, and we eagerly anticipated that Sunday gathering just off of Hague Road where he would be dunked - a glorious display of Christ's work in him. He would be reading his testimony, which is one of my all-time favorite stories of God's sovereignty, and then the family of Followers would worship God while Joe ascended the baptismal and went under - only to be raised out of the water in the same way Jesus was raised up from death.

And God provided in ways far beyond anything we could have asked or imagined. We both woke up at six that Sunday morning - giddy with excitement and anticipation. We got ready slowly, sipped coffee, read Scripture, and drove to Castleton. Soon, family and friends started filling the church lobby. People had driven over an hour to join us in the fellowship. I blocked off three rows of pews, only to need three more in the back for when our Soma small group showed up.

The message that morning was moving: Ecclesiastes 9, a riveting truth that we all will die and we have to know Jesus in order to rest assured that our greatest enemy (death) is a defeated enemy. The gospel presentation was so clear, the worship was triumphant, and the presence of the Spirit was certainly felt by all. Our dear friend, Jess Evans, was called to the pulpit first to share her testimony and be baptized; Joe followed behind her.

He almost got through the whole testimony, but at the moment he started reading his final remark, Psalm 40:2, tears flooded his eyes and silenced his lips. The congregation joined him in worshipful tears. I quietly wept as he read the words: "You pulled me out of the pit, out of the mud and mire, You set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." I cried tears of gratitude, of praise, of conviction, and of a desire to live in response to the God who saves - I want my life to be built on the rock.

While Joe went backstage to change clothes and prepare to be dunked, we sang "In Christ Alone." I was so moved by the lyrics that rang with earmarks of the Psalm my baby just read:

    This cornerstone, this solid ground / Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

The Lord truly is our rock. Our cornerstone. Our solid place to stand. I have spent so much time trying to find footing on shifting sand, and it has failed me again, and again, and again. The same was true for my husband. What a glorious reminder to sing, "Hallelujah! All I have is Christ!" The room was filled with rejoicing and I truly believe God was glorified as Joe made a public profession to live for Jesus for all the days of his life. We hugged and cried and worshiped and celebrated and I can't say this enough - it's one of my favorite days of my life.

Our engagement was a beautiful day - a commitment that will impact our entire lives on Earth. But when it comes down to it, life is short. That commitment will die the moment we do. His declaration of being committed to Jesus goes beyond the grave. It’s far deeper and carries far more weight, but it also results in a far greater eternal reward (yes...better than me) ;) 

I’m so proud of Joe and so moved by his story. I’m so thankful for the churches, sermons, small groups, friends, and family who have shaped him (and us as a couple). And I’m so abundantly grateful to God, who has given us immeasurably more than all we could ask, imagine, or ever deserve. 

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