Mondays suck. It’s just one thing after another. People are crabby because they have to go back to work, I guess. They’re indecisive & needy. But that’s small potatoes.

To most of you, this will just look like a good ol’ country baptizing.
But to some…oh, it is so much more.

This is Miss MacKenzie Henry, being baptized by her papaw (preacher) Danny Henry, & her daddy, Scotty. MacKenzie is a special needs, loving, beautiful child of God.
About a month ago, her momma was tucking her in, doing the whole ritual of singing to her & reading a little bit, talking about the upcoming week. “And you know what’s happening Sunday?”
Kenzie nodded enthusiastically. Brandi told her again who all was getting baptized. Kenzie nodded more exuberantly & pointed at her chest. “Me!”
Brandi was stunned. “You want to be baptized?”
“Yes!” Nodding excitedly. She got her point across.
Now, we would like to believe that children are protected, until they become the age of accountability, but I could not find any specific verses to support this belief, which is somewhat disturbing. At any rate, MacKenzie had sat through enough Bible School lessons & church services to know that she needed to be saved & it had laid on her heart for knows how long before she was able to communicate her desire. The problem probably stemmed from her fear of water. She doesn’t like it going over her head. But Brandi patiently explained to her that that was something that would have to happen, & MacKenzie allowed that she was at peace with it.
So, it came to pass, that Sunday, the congregation, with added family & friends, gathered on the rocky bank of the river, shaded by the thick vegetation encroaching on all sides. No breeze whispered through the grasses and leaves to alleviate the stifling humid day. A hush had fallen as Danny spoke the word of God over her, his voice breaking here & there as he kept his arms around his granddaughter. Scotty remained stoic.
The plunge. She was brought right up, but she was still in a mild panic & wouldn’t let her feet touch down, kept them drawn under her, so her father carried her out, trying to remain upright on the slick river rocks that covered the bottom.
MacKenzie was a twin. Houston was born, larger than his sister, gallantly fought for a few days, and to everyone’s surprise, passed away. He opened his eyes one time. Scotty carried him to his grave & placed him there to rest.
Houston died so that MacKenzie could live. This is true. When he passed, the doctors weren’t sure exactly what caused his death. There just wasn’t enough time. He had fluid on his brain, but both of them had that. Tests were ran, & in just in the lick of time, results were back so that they could treat MacKenzie. Houston saved her life.
A baptism is a rebirth. So the fact that Scotty carried his son to his grave, but carried his daughter out of the river is enough to send me into a crying jag, shivering.
I hope you can now see the emotion in this beautiful picture. I hope that you can see the love of God expressed in these people’s faces. And my greatest desire is that you know the Lord, or come to know Him soon.