by Natasha L. Kohlhoff Polak

Created on: August 24, 2010

A lump rose in Mandi's throat as she heard the pastor's lilting voice beckoning those whose hearts have been touched by the sermon to come forward.  After the first few lines of "I Surrender All", Mandi felt compelled to stand up.  Slowly, but purposefully, she crept to the front of the sanctuary amidst a small throng of others who looked just as humbled and exhilarated as she was.  Together they all joined the pastor at the front of the sanctuary. 

"Friends, rejoice for seeking to serve the Lord!  Today you will be born anew!"  the pastor declared with a radiant smile.  With outstretched arms, he gestured to first Mandi and those around her, and then to the congregation.  Together they prayed and cheered, then dismissed the people from their pews so that the only ones left were those who were being baptisms or those who wanted to witness the event.

Mandi's heart pounded, thrumming with the excitement of what was to happen.  Being here felt so right, that for once in her life she didn't need to question her actions.  She was going to be born again!  Clearly, it was God speaking to her heart.  And that was all that mattered. 

As the church cleared out, They divided the women from men, leading both groups through the back of the sanctuary and into the separate dressing rooms to prepare for baptism.  Quiet conversation along with snippets of familiar hymns flowed around her; yet Mandi remained silent, merely looking on.  She accepted her baptismal gown along with everyone else, then waited patiently to change.  Once she had done so, she stood in line with the rest of the women, and then made their way to the baptismal font, where they rejoined the men.

One-by-one, they filed into the pool of water like an assembly line, where the pastor and elders helped baptize them all.  Finally, it was Mandi's turn.

"Right now, will you confess before the Almighty God your declaration of faith and service to Him?  Please repeat after me..."

In an awed voice just above a whisper, Mandi accepted the trinity into her life, then was doused head-first into the water.  When she re-emerged, she felt more centered and at peace than she had ever felt before.  What a rush!

Gone was her old self, and who knew what God had in store for her now.  With tears of joy streaming down her face, Mandi realized what it meant to be given a second chance - and she gladly rejoiced with her newfound spiritual brothers and sisters.

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