9.9 Devotional - Jenni's Story

0:00Today is Wednesday, September 9th. For our devotional today, we'll be hearing a baptism story from Jenny Weemer. My hope and prayer for you today is that my story gives you the confidence to proclaim your faith, allow God to work through you, come to terms with the reality of sin in our earthly world, and enjoy the wonder and beauty of the new new life that is formed in Jesus when we accept Him. To be transparent, I delayed this decision for more than a decade, not because I doubted my belief in God or my salvation, but mostly because of my own ego and confidence. I grew up in a loving, grace-filled home with a mother and grandmother who were active and steadfast in their faith. I was baptized as an infant in the Lutheran Church, confirmed as a teenager with the love and support of family and friends, and I honestly always knew in my heart that God was my savior. As I became an adult enrolled in college and lived on my own, I

1:05found myself intimidated by people who lived with conviction and confidence in the gospel. There was this discord between all that God had blessed me with in my childhood and how I was living. Well, God has a funny way of putting you in situations where those sins are exposed and opportunities for grace and closeness with Him occur. As I approached my 30th birthday, I felt the desire to settle down and find a mate, and then got answered all those prayers one day at the company I worked for. In walked Ross. I remember looking at him in the office and hearing God whisper, here he is, Jen. Early on in our courtship, Ross shared that he was a God-fearing man who committed himself to Christ and had recently been baptized. He shared his focus on finding a woman that shared similar values. He also shared that he was committed to a church in Burlington that he helped start. Ross invited me to Life Bridge for a service and in true

2:08Ross fashion forgot to mention that he would be sharing his testimony. I remember feeling pretty intimidated not only by Ross's bold proclamation but also by the young couples and families who stood competently in their faith at Life Bridge. The voices in my head told me I wasn't enough. Was I the woman that Ross was looking for? I felt a bit embarrassed for certain life decisions and questioning the choices I had made in my past aligning with a Christ-centered life. The call to be baptized also challenged me. As Ross and I continued dating, we quickly knew marriage was the next step. We wanted to build a marriage, centered on Christ, have children, and raise them to know Jesus. As our life together unfolded, we were blessed with children and remain connected to Life Bridge. Yet I continued to push God's call to be baptized deep down. Even though it would continue to resurface. Fast forward to today, Ross and I

3:11have been blessed beyond measure during our 10 years of marriage. But we have also experienced profound hardship that I pray no parent has to navigate. I have been forced to truly understand sin and the darkness of this earthly life, while also embracing and being covered in God's grace and goodness. Ross and I have worked through miscarriages, the loss of both of our fathers. My mom's battle with cancer and recently the unimaginable heartbreak of losing our seven year old firstborn son, Reed Patrick. Through every trial, we have moved forward clinging on to the truth of eternal life. After losing Reed, I have experienced God's grace in such profound ways. I will never forget the day of Reed's accident. Just as I had heard God's voice when I met Ross, I heard him say again, Jen, this is what I've been preparing you for. In the following days,

4:13memories, people and moments from throughout my life played through my mind like a movie montage. I have pulled from those glimpses and making certain decisions and to simply get out of bed in the morning. God was speaking to me, showing me that this all isn't for nothing. In the days that followed Reed's accident, I had to watch Ross had to carry this immense pain but remain the rock of our family. I truly believe God was speaking through him, keeping us united and carrying us through our darkest days. I could spend hours sharing all the ways we have experienced God's grace and the countless God-winks we've witnessed, reassuring us that Reed is in heaven and that God is with us. God's presence has been undeniable. After losing Reed and watching our family, friends, and extended community mourn and support us, the question of me being baptized

5:14resurfaced. I remember driving one day when the thought entered my mind again. I prayed asking God to guide me and honestly to make the decision easy for me. Because my grieving heart and mind operate at constant capacity most days since losing Reed. The very next day a church, a friend pulled me aside and shared that she had recently dreamt about me being baptized, surrounded by my family and our life-bridge community. She also told me that Reed was there, skipping joyfully in front of the baptismal. She had no idea about the journey I had been on or the prayer I had prayed the day before. I left church that morning knowing what I needed to do. Today my baptism is my public declaration of my commitment and obedience to Jesus. It is also to share that commitment with my husband, my children, our families, and our church family. I have accepted Jesus Christ as my

6:17Lord and Savior and I place my complete trust in Him alone for my salvation. I understand the depth of my sin and I know that I am forgiven. Not because of anything I have done but because of what Jesus Christ has done for me.