A Grace Story

Last Sunday I had the privilege of baptizing baby Jordan. His baby hair was sticking up and he paid rapt attention to everything I said, at least my voice. Now I baptize many babies and each is special. I look forward to each one, but this was different and goes back several years when I did the wedding for Erica and Todd. Todd was an Aggie preparing for his commissioning into the Army. After the wedding he became an Army Second Lieutenant and soon after that found himself in a Bradly Fighting vehicle heading into Baghdad. He earned a Bronze Star and returned home to Erica where they lived at Fort Hood. We were all thrilled he came home safe, but soon he made a journey on a Army Helicopter that hit a wire outside of Waco and He was killed. I found myself preaching His funeral service in Killeen just a few days later. His mom and Dad, Erica’s Family, and of course Erica grieved a young life lost so tragically. Capt. Todd Christmas was buried on his families ranch in New Mexico. A couple of years later I got a call, Erica had met Keith and they were going to be married. It was obvious they loved each other and were excited about their life together. They asked me to perform their wedding in Austin. I was honored and did. When it came time for the parents to be seated, Erica’s mom and Dad (Dan and Nancy) were seated, as were Keiths parents. but whenTodd’s mom and dad were honored and seated as parents as well, there wasn’t a dry eye. I had to work at keeping my composure. It was an emotional moment when they came down. Since then Erica and Keith have moved to Mansfield and had baby Jordan. We are all so happy for all this family. Last Sunday when the grandparents walked up for the Baptism, Dan and Nancy came, Keith’s Mom and Dad Were there, and up walked the Christmas’s to stand behind Erica and Keith when Jordan was baptized. This full circle speaks of God’s Amazing Grace revealed in this loving family. I will never forget it.

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