It’s hard to believe that May 1, 2024, has passed. Hours, days, weeks, months, and years progress so swiftly. Memories of a first from years ago fill my mind.

I vividly remember my first child’s delivery. Her birth did not go as planned. My doctor visit revealed Brittany was in breach. An amniocentesis was performed to ensure she was fully developed, and a C-section was scheduled later that evening. My spinal block did not take effect, and I was put to sleep. I missed the first look at my baby, and I was disappointed. Spinal headaches ensued, and I was depressed. Expecting a regular delivery, I was unprepared to cope with these unexpected events.

Nevertheless, Brittany was born into this world, and I was a joyous first-time mother. On May 20^th, thirty-seven years will have passed since my firstborn arrived. We’ve experienced many new things with Brittany, but none compares to watching her experience a born-again belief in Jesus Christ.

Brittany was ten. I sat in church, ready for service. The Holy Spirit prompted me to leave with Brittany and attend Heaven’s Gates and Hell’s Flames at Faith Baptist Tabernacle. I obeyed.

As we experienced this convicting program, Brittany began to weep and asked to go forward. I walked her to the altar, and we prayed with Debbie Woods, who served at the church in 1997. Brittany believed and received the Holy Spirit. Her spiritual birth was more joyous than her natural birth, but both births were necessary to enter heaven.

Jesus explained this to Nicodemus in John chapter 3. Nicodemus, a religious ruler, approached Jesus at night. Jesus quickly made his point as He said, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Nicodemus asked if a man could re-enter his mother’s womb and be born again. Jesus gives further explanation.

        Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be of water and of the Spirit,           

       he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

      That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

      Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:5-7

We’ve all experienced a fleshly water birth, but the greater question requires an answer from each individual: have we been born again? Brittany’s new birth changed her. She was baptized, sensed God’s presence, and had heartfelt love for others.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17