Harvey’s Baptism Shirt

Harvey sat squished in the back of the taxi with Ibu (Mom) and Bapak (Dad). They were on their way to the church for Harvey’s baptism.

“Bapak, how did you feel when you were baptized?” Harvey asked. Bapak got baptized a few months ago. Now that Harvey was eight, he was going to be baptized too!

Bapak thought for a minute. “The water was so cold!” he said with a laugh. “But I also felt a lot of love. Even though most of our family are not members of our church, I felt their love and God’s love.”

When they got to the church building, some other people from church helped them fill the font with water and get ready.

“Harvey, it’s time to change into your baptism clothes,” Ibu said. Harvey nodded and found the bag with his clothes. But only his white pants were in the bag. He couldn’t find his white shirt! He checked the other bags and looked around the church.

“Ibu, my shirt isn’t in here,” Harvey said.

Ibu frowned. She checked a few bags too. “We must have left it in the taxi.”

“We have some extra baptism clothes in the closet,” Sister Putri said. “I’ll go get them.”

But the only baptism clothes from the closet were too big for Harvey. Ibu looked worried. The baptism would start soon. A lot of people were already here, and Harvey didn’t have his shirt.

“Maybe we can say a prayer that the taxi driver will bring the shirt back,” Harvey said. “But if he doesn’t bring it, I can just wear a shirt that’s too big. I don’t care what I wear. I just want to be baptized.”

Ibu and Bapak nodded. Together they went to the kitchen, where it was quiet. Then they folded their arms and bowed their heads.

Harvey said the prayer. “Dear Heavenly Father, thank Thee that I can be baptized today. Please help the taxi driver to bring back my shirt. But if not, that’s OK too.”

After their prayer, Harvey went to change into the shirt that was too large. It reached all the way to his knees.

“Harvey!” Sister Putri called from the hallway. “The taxi driver is here.”

Harvey and Ibu found the taxi driver by the front door. He was holding Harvey’s shirt!

“I looked back and saw it on the seat,” he said. “I thought it might belong to you.”

“Thank you so much,” Ibu said.

Harvey took the shirt from the man. “Thank you.”

The man smiled and waved goodbye.

Soon, it was time for the baptism to start. Harvey changed into his shirt. It fit perfectly! And it was white and clean.

When Harvey walked into the font, the water was freezing! Bapak said the prayer and baptized Harvey. When he came out of the water, he felt fresh and calm inside.

Bapak led Harvey out of the font and wrapped a soft towel around Harvey’s shoulders. Harvey thought about all the people who helped and supported him. Ibu, Bapak, the taxi driver, and his family. And Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ too.

Harvey gave Bapak a hug. “You’re right. The water was cold!” They both laughed. Then Harvey looked into Bapak’s eyes. “But you were right about something else too. I feel a lot of love.”

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Illustrations by Bethany Stancliffe