Molly Jebber
Fear turned into Joy
When I was five, I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart, and my parents asked me if I wanted to get baptized to show everyone that I had done this. They said I didn’t have to, but it was a way to show others the decision I’d made. I didn’t answer.
The Pastor asked me and I said yes.
My parents said they were surprised I said yes to the Pastor about getting baptized. I told them they must be mistaken.
Fear gripped my heart. I was afraid of water. The Pastor would dip my body in the water. I wanted everyone to know I loved Jesus, and I’d made this decision, but I was scared. My dad would carry me to the pool and beg me to get in. I cried, and I didn’t want anything to do with a swimming pool. I’d bathe in a bath tub, but it was with little water and a more confined space. The ocean petrified me.
It was Sunday night, and we were on our way to my Dad’s boss’s house for dinner. We always went to church on Sunday, but this was the only day they could get together. It was also the evening for baptisms.
I cried on the way there and told them we had to turn around and go to church. I promised Jesus I would get baptized, but I was scared. I had to get baptized for Jesus, and I had to do it now.
Dad and Mom didn’t know what to do. It was my Dad’s boss. We were minutes away from going to dinner at their house. His boss’s wife had prepared a meal for us.
I begged them to go to church. We didn’t know if I’d make it in time. Dad called his boss. His boss was gracious and understood. We went to church and the Pastor was surprised to see me. I was the last one.
The Pastor prayed, and then baptized me. From that day forward, I have loved the water. Mom signed me up for swimming lessons, and I did well. To this day, I love to go to the pool and ocean.
My dad’s boss moved on after that night. Years later, I made a friend at work who turned out to be my dad’s boss’s daughter all those years ago! We became close and a wonderful friendship. She remembered how excited she was to meet me that night, and how disappointed she was when we didn’t show.
In all my books, my characters struggle to make the right decisions. They want to do God’s will for their lives, but they can’t get out of their own way. Becca in Change of Heart struggles to stay Amish. She has many reasons to stay and go. Her life lessons are difficult, but she learns from them.
Thank you for visiting me here today.