The Weekly Perspective
by TJ Draper, Deacon
We have the joy and privilege today of bearing witness to the baptism of one of our convent children, Cohen James Bryant. Baptism is a sign and seal of the promises of Christ to his people. In the sacrament of baptism, Christ claims the one being baptized as His own. As Cohen’s parents bring him to be baptized into Christ, we’ll look at this cute little baby, and we’ll smile, and we’ll laugh, and we’ll overflow with joy. Rightly so for this is the gift God has given to little ones: bringing joy into our lives. And seeing God’s proclamation of peace and His promise upon Cohen’s life is a joy and blessing.
Our privilege now is to watch Cohen grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord as his parents train him up in the faith. And it is both our duty and our privilege to stand alongside the Bryants to encourage them, aid them, offer counsel when needed, and be involved in their lives. Give thanks and rejoice in this gift — for it is a gift, not a burden.
God grows his Church in many ways, and this is one: aithful parents raising (with the aid of the Holy Spirit) faithful children. As Solomon says in Psalm 127, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” So today, we rejoice with the Bryants. Thanks be to God!