On this very day 15 years ago, I gave my life over to Christ. I don’t think I’ve ever put my story in blog form, and in case I look back in 10 or 15 years and feel like I didn’t know what I was doing when I was 9 years old, I’d like to be able to read the things that were going through my head.

It was a Sunday morning. Both of my sisters had been baptized not too terribly long before that day, and while the preacher was speaking I decided that I needed to be baptized, too. During the invitation song I walked down front and indicated that I’d like to be baptized. I remember the preacher asking me if I believed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. In my squeaky nine year old voice I said yes, and I was whisked away to the preparation room to get changed.

I remember exactly what I was wearing that day. It was my favorite blue dress, kind of slinky, and surprisingly in style since most of my other clothes that my mom let me pick out were absolutely atrocious. I got changed into the outfit, stepped down into the baptistry, and my dad baptized me. After services I was met with tons of hugs and smiles, but I just remember my hair being soaking wet.

There is one thing that really sticks out to me about that day. You see, July 26th is my oldest sister’s birthday, so after worship we were all going to my grandmother’s house for lunch. I remember very distinctly walking into her house and thinking how cool it was that I hadn’t sinned yet.

I know that I had a very limited knowledge of all that Christ had done for me. I know that I couldn’t fully comprehend all that I was doing, and just how much I needed this washing of my soul. But I knew what sin was. I knew where sin sent you. And I knew that I once had had sin, and now I did not, because baptism washed it away.

When I’m 80 years old (God giving me that time) and have hopefully reached a much greater level of understanding, I hope that I can look back at 9 year old Emily and be proud of her, knowing that she didn’t know everything, but she knew enough.

9 year old Emily saved my life. She wasn’t perfect (and I’m still not!), but she knew that she needed a relationship with Jesus. That relationship faltered a lot (and still does!), but she never gave up. I know that I’ve posted about the time that I really started taking the relationship seriously (you can read it here), but had it not been for the courage and willingness and humility of nine year old me, I wouldn’t be where I am today–because Jesus’ blood wouldn’t have cleansed me then and wouldn’t have continued to cleanse me every single day since.

Today, as a 24 year old, I understand a little better–though definitely not as much as I hope to. And today, I am so very thankful for Jesus’ blood and the way He has cleansed me and will continue to so long as I live faithfully for Him.

15 years ago wasn’t about me inviting Jesus in through a prayer. It wasn’t about me deciding I was saved then being baptized to show everyone else. It was about a young girl knowing she had ugly sin stains and so she submitted to what God wanted for her–to be baptized into Christ so that He could cleanse her and she could be added to His body.

When did you become a Christian? Are you still living for Him? Have you become a Christian? If you haven’t, I would love to talk to you about it!