BRI’S STORY
One of the most emotional and renewing things I’ve witnessed and participated in is Baptism. It’s a public celebration of change, of faith, and of obedience. I remember first; the astonishment and then the tears of joy as I got to witness Bri take that step. Read how Bri came to that decision.
Bri’s tattoo, in remembrance of her sister.
“2016 was not my dream year. The start to my new year was a rough one. Little did I know, it would only get rougher in the weeks to follow.
So, I hadn’t been to church in quite a while. I had stumbled off the path and God was trying to get my attention. Well, He did. I was literally brought to my knees. He had opened my eyes and showed me that there needed to be a change in me. It was either that, or things were going change and I wasn’t going to like it.
I was told people don’t change. I’ve witnessed change first hand. My dad was an alcoholic for as long as I could remember. He’d quit, then after a few months, go right back to it. I didn’t trust him. I was close to being done. Then my sister was diagnosed with Leukemia in July of ’08. Dad stopped drinking. Just a little over a year later, she passed away. I thought for sure dad was gonna go back to drinking. But he didn’t. It’s been 9 years and he’s still going strong. I trust him now. We have a relationship that I never thought we could have. So…do people change? Yes they do. They can. It may take a life altering situation, but they can change. Which is what made me want to change. I knew I had to let go of all the anger and bitterness built up inside me. It was hard. Harder than I thought it would be. But with some counseling, prayers, going back to church and reading some books, I made that change. I could feel it from the inside. I felt calmer. Happier. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. A weight that I had carried for far too long. Things were better and looking up.
Then one Sunday it was baptism Sunday. I felt this tugging at my heart. I just kept hearing “If you do this, I will bless you”. So at the last minute, I went up and got baptized. I went public with my faith. And the best part, was that my 10 year old son was there to witness it.
So…did 2016 end on a good note? Yes, I’d say it did. I got to ring in 2017 with my husband and kids (who were in bed). I went into the new year knowing I was a New Creation, and that no matter what comes my way, I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but building the new.” Socrates