Fellow Workers

Since attending and becoming a member of the Lutheran Church, I have been privileged to witness dozens of baptisms, including those of my own children and godchildren. Every church has their own personality when it comes to baptisms, and our fieldwork church here in St. Louis is no different. Following the baptism but before singing the doxology, our congregation corporately speaks these words to the infant or adult just baptized.

"We welcome you into the Lord's family. We receive you as a fellow member of the body of Christ, as a child of the same heavenly Father, and a worker with us in the kingdom of God."

A few weeks back, a month old baby was being baptized. Baptisms happen to be Emmylou's very favorite part of church and it is such a joy to watch her engage in the service. This particular week, Emmylou's excitement and questions drew me into the baptismal service in a new way. And as I spoke the words "a worker with us in the kingdom of God", my heart illuminated. I saw my children in a new way and those words gave renewed meaning to my discipling role in their lives.

We didn't say: "a worker in the kingdom of God once you are mature or able." We said: "a worker". Now. Already. Not because a child on their own can serve Jesus; but because, a child, with the help of the Holy Spirit, can show love and kindness and bring joy to people's lives.

I have watched my children light up the faces of countless cashiers and greeters in stores. I have watched my daughter bend down to ask a smaller child what she could do for them. I have watched my daughter help a scared little girl out of a Chic-fil-a playplace. And lately, I have been watching Eli, one-year-old Eli, wave, smile and smirk at everybody he sees.

Recently, following one of Eli's fits of compulsive waving, we stopped our shopping cart and spent a few moments chatting with this beautiful woman. We learned of her grandchildren and her children; and as we listened, those four beautiful words - a worker with us - flashed in my mind.

I am privileged to spend my days walking beside these two little people, learning my own lessons about what it means to be a child of God and a worker in His kingdom as I watch them learn theirs. Most days, I spend my time discipling them and some days feel long and hard; but every so often, and probably more often than I realize, I have the even bigger privilege of being a fellow worker with them. Together, we slow down, look strangers in the eye, throw our plans aside, and spread the love, joy, and hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.