Conversations with an 8 Year old.....

Today I took Chaytor to watch PCC Baptism with me and to hopefully explain it as best as I could. He has been to a baptism before, but it was in 2009 and he didn't understand what was going on. He just knew he could play in the water...........which is what attracted him to coming to today's celebration. So I used it. And off we went. As we drove to Cartersville, I explained to him that when people decide that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, they get baptised. He responded with a verbal attitude that Jesus was his Lord already. So, of course I was happy to hear that. I know he doesn't exactly understand what that means right now in his life, but at least he has the first step for a child and Jesus down. I then said that we get baptised so God will forgive us our sins. To which he responded "Will God not forgive our sins if we DON'T get baptised?". Good question Chaytor. I said yes, but that the Bible tells us to get baptised when we personally decide to follow Jesus. So we do what the Bible tells us to do. He pondered this for a few minutes and then proceeded to talk about Harry Potter. So, I thought I lost him. But he sat with me and some friends and watched what was going on. He clapped and "whoo hooed" with us when each person or couple was done with their "dunk". Once it was all over, he went swimming. And he started to pretend he was Brian Hughes. He stood in the water with his pretend microphone and started telling everyone "Hey people, we are gonna do some baptisms today!". Everyone laughed, cause, well, Chaytor is pretty good at making everyone laugh. Funny Kid. On our way home he told me he wanted to get baptised. I said there was another one coming up in September and we would talk about it more before it got here. He asked if everyone would clap and cheer for him. And I said yes, of course. He asked it the current of the river would take him away to Richmond, then Chesapeake, and then the Atlantic Ocean? (this is normal Chaytor conversation...he remembers most of everything people say to him). I told him no, we would not let him float down the river. he asked if "Pastor Brian would hold on to him when he put him under the water?" "Yes, Chaytor! Pastor Brian would never let go of you!" "Ok, mom.....I want to get baptised". I know he does not truly fathom what it means, but he has the basics down. Not many 8 year olds can truly understand what it means to be saved, but I am proud of him for making this decision. You see, I believe it is a personal decision. One only you can make for you. Then it's real. It was your choice. And he even said "It's my decision, right?" Yes, Chaytor it is..............and you've made the right one. Love him more and more every day for the person he is and the person he will become with God's hands on him and our guidance as parents.