Joseph Anderson Donetti: The Baptism

Joseph Gets a Watch

Joseph Anderson Donetti looked at Pastor Chuck with a question in his eyes. Mac and Trevor and Hannah all had the same question in their eyes.

Pastor Chuck grinned. “I was serious,” he said. “You may have it.”

Joseph squinted. He still wasn’t sure that Pastor Chuck wasn’t somehow teasing him. “You mean I can keep it?” he asked. “Keep it forever?”

Pastor Chuck nodded. “Yes,” he said. “It’s yours. You can keep it forever.”

“Wow!” Trevor breathed. He leaned over to look more closely at the brand-new sports watch that just a moment ago had been Pastor Chuck’s. “I wish I had picked it up!”

“Me, too!” Hannah said.

“Huh!” Mac snorted. “I didn’t think you really meant it!”

“That’s my point exactly!” Pastor Chuck exclaimed. “That’s how some people feel about God’s free gift of salvation. They don’t think He really means it. But He does! All a person had to do is reach out and take it. Just believe that Jesus died for her sins in her place.”

Everyone was quiet for a minute, thinking. Joseph fastened his new watch on his wrist. It looked great!

“Of course, you shouldn’t just take my word for something this important,” Pastor Chuck said. “What I tell you must always agree with what the Bible says. Look up Acts 16:29-31.”

Mac grabbed Joseph’s Bible and turned to the book of Acts. “Here,” she pointed. “You can find chapter 16, I’m sure.”

Joseph did. He trailed his finger down the page to find verse 29. “I’ll read it,” he volunteered. “‘The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside. Shaking with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?” They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all the people in your house.”‘ (International Children’s Bible)” Joseph looked up.

“And,” Pastor Chuck said, “God doesn’t have only enough salvation for one out of four people, like my sports watch example. He has enough grace and salvation for everybody! Enough for everybody who has ever been born or who will still be born. Enough for everybody who wants it. And that is something I want you never ever to forget!”

“Lemonade, anyone?” a cheery voice called from the kitchen door. Mrs. Evans appeared, carrying a tray with tall blue glasses on it. She handed one to Pastor Chuck and to each of the children.

“That sure hits the spot!” Pastor Chuck said, licking his lips. “Thank you very much!”

“Are you guys enjoying yourselves out here as much as we are in the house?” Mrs. Evans asked with a smile.

“Well, I didn’t get a watch,” Mac grumped. “But I do have salvation! And I know that’s the best gift of all, but I definitely could use a sports watch, Mom. One that tells the date and has a stop watch and an alarm, too. Do you think you could get me one?”

Mrs. Evans stared at her daughter. She shook her head. “I haven’t the foggiest idea why you’re discussing sports watches right now,” she said.

Joseph held his wrist out so Mrs. Evans could see it. “It’s because I have a sports watch and salvation!” he exclaimed.

Mrs. Evans laughed. “I detect that there’s a story there somewhere,” she said. “I’ll let you guys finish up, and you can tell me about it later.”

Pastor Chuck put four notebooks on the grass in front of him. “Here is a notebook for each of you,” he said. “I have written some texts down on the first page. I would like you to find the texts and read them before our next class. In fact, it would be really neat if you could memorize some of them. There is nothing better you could do this summer than learn God’s words and hide them in your heart.

“There is plenty of room in the notebook for you to write down any special thoughts you have about what you read. Or any questions you have that you might want to talk about next time we meet,” Pastor Chuck continued. “Find your own special quiet place where you can read your Bibles and talk to God. And don’t forget to listen too,” he added. “Listen for God speaking to your heart.”

Joseph and Mac stood on the front lawn and waved as Trevor’s car and Hannah’s car and Pastor Chuck’s car drove away. The sunshine glinted off Joseph’s new watch as he waved with his left hand. “You are so lucky!” Mac exclaimed, eyeing the watch.

“I know,” Joseph agreed. “Isn’t it neat? Pastor Chuck said he will bring the instruction book when he comes next time so I can read about how everything works. It looks awfully complicated! I hope I can figure it all out.” He looked up at Mac. “One thing’s for sure,” he said. “We won’t be forgetting that God’s salvation is a free gift!”