Audrey's getting baptized

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. –1 Timothy 4:12 (ESV)
 
I lead preschool worship time at the church I attend. A couple times per month, I have the privilege of singing, dancing, praying, and teaching the gospel to 3-to-5-yr-olds. I don’t talk down to them. I want to present as much of the story as the kids can handle, which is more than you might expect. I also want them to have enough fun that they want to come back next time. I have often described it as playing; I’m willing to do some pretty crazy things to reinforce a point. But it is playing with a purpose.
 
By the time they leave me and go to kindergarten, I want them to know (1) Jesus loves them, (2) the Bible is an exciting book, and (3) they have grownups in their life who will help them know God. A few weeks ago, I got word that one of my former preschool students wanted to be baptized into Christ and had told her mother she wanted me to be the one to baptize her. I was honored and humbled by the request. Obviously, I agreed. But I had questions….
 
You see, Audrey is in first grade. She’s only two years removed from my tutelage. How could this little girl be ready for this important step? I needed to talk to her. I made arrangements to meet her and her mom at a smoothie shop near the gymnastics center where Audrey and her sister take tumbling classes. After some small talk and shy moments getting re-acquainted, we got down to it: “Audrey, tell me why you want to be baptized.”
 
Audrey was no longer shy, but resolute. She said she loved Jesus, she wanted to follow Him forever, and she wanted everyone to know it. She added that it was especially important for her church family to know this, because they would be the ones who would help her keep that commitment. I was blown away. This seven-year-old got it. At that moment, I reflected on how much the first Christians didn’t know about church doctrine as they listened to Peter on the Day of Pentecost.
 
The truth is, we often make Christianity more complicated than it needs to be. None of us are fully formed when we come to Jesus; He never expected that – if that was the requirement, we’d never qualify. A simple expression of faith is the foundation – acknowledging Jesus as God, obeying Him as Lord, receiving His atoning sacrifice and His transforming Spirit, seeking other disciples with whom we’ll share the journey. It leads to a life our Savior fills to overflowing.
 
If you’re enjoying that life now, reflect on how you came to know Him and how He has shown Himself faithful in the years since. If you took that step, but later found yourself doubting or struggling with a love grown cold, find someone who’s a bit further down faith’s road and start a conversation; see if the Spirit doesn’t begin to re-kindle that flame. And if you’re reading this and curious but not sure, try this prayer: “God, if you’re there, lead me to someone who can help me sort this out.” He always meets us where we are.
 
I should tell you one more thing about Audrey. Her parents are divorced. Her father is dead-set against her baptism. It will cost her something to express her faith in this way. She knows this and is ready to pay that price. Sometimes I teach the kids. Sometimes the kids teach me.