The Faithful Wanderer

Loving Him In Return

Exactly one year (and one day) ago on February 23rd, 2025, I was baptized. And a couple months prior, one of my close friends and I got to make that decision together.

For four years I’d debated whether I should get baptized or not—it was actually when my younger brother Boone (he was around ten or eleven at the time) decided to be baptized when we lived in Massachusetts.

And looking back, a year later, I know that I don’t regret a thing. And now that I’ve made that decision and time has passed, I have a new perspective on the version of me that was scared to get baptized.

When I was given the opportunity at my church in Massachusetts, I said no because we were moving to Washington. I let fear of change take over, but that just means that in Washington I had a better community and group of people to support my decision. What the devil meant for bad, God worked for good. (Genesis 50:20)

And as I’m looking back at the year and the things that have happened since I got baptized, I am realizing that all those fears were so silly.

Even after our big move and relationship changes and church changes and new big adjustments, I have never once said, “I wish I hadn’t gotten baptized. I regret that decision. I hate you, God. I don’t believe in you.”

Yes, there have been prayers of confusion but never a word of regret.

God has blessed me with the chance to choose Him and also with the knowledge that He is the best choice.

And so as this year (2026 and until my second year of baptism anniversary) goes on, that thought has encouraged me. Whenever God has prompted me to do something, I have never once regretted it—even if I was dreading it or scared in the moment. (I have a post about that coming out on Thursday.)

My walk with the Lord has been a seventeen-year-long one, but this past year has been one of me purposefully and intentionally growing closer to Him and following where He takes me—or, faithfully wandering, if you will.

I’m far from knowing exactly what He has in store for me, but what I do know is that He has good things in store for me.

‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.’
Proverbs 16:3 NIV

Thanks for reading and thanks for joining me on this journey! You guys are the best.
~Willow

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Willow
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6 responses to “Loving Him In Return”

  1. Beth Mae Avatar
    Beth Mae

    Thank you so much for sharing your story, Willow!

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  2. Ayva Alda Avatar
    Ayva Alda

    Congratulations on the one year anniversary of your baptism Willow!! *cues confetti* It’s so beautiful to hear of the peace you have about your choice to be baptized and how you didn’t let fear be a barrier in growing closer with the Lord. I remember preparing to make a big commitment in my faith journey and being SO nervous. So many thoughts were swirling in my head: Was I doing everything properly? Am I going to mess up? Do I even want to do this? Frankly, part of me thought the whole thing itself was kind of weird. Fast forward three years and most of my fears are gone. How? Because like you I slowly shifted my focus onto all the positive and beautiful things that would come from making that step. It did take a lot of time (and many hours of researching XD!) to reason with myself and realize all the arguments against making that choice weren’t true. But in the end the choice to embrace that commitment is so worth it! So again congrats on your decision, you should be so proud!!

    On a side note, you lived in Massachusetts??? Whereabouts???!!! I currently live in MetroWest MA (yesss we have gotten that much snow loool) and have been here for about 5 years now. Oh and I also lived in Raleigh NC for a short time too! How’s it the weather been for all you NC folks?

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    1. Willow Avatar
      Willow

      Thanks Ayva!! It totally is a nerve-wracking experience isn’t it?!

      Yes I did!! I lived on Hanscom AFB, so really close to Lexington! Oh wow, that’s so cool (agh I bet, I do and don’t miss the MA winters!) The weather has been AMAZING, today was 75 degrees and spring is coming quickly!😆

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      1. Ayva Alda Avatar
        Ayva Alda

        You’re welcome, it’s really so awesome to hear your journey!! Seriously nerve-wracking feels like an understatement loool.

        Ohh noo wayyy my family and I pass by the Hanscom AFB all the time! My dad actually worked an office job by the Hanscom area in Concord like 20 years ago and used to eat lunch while watching the planes take off XD! Ikr haha thank you! Frrr these Northeast winters are intense. GIRL 75 DEGREES??? *cries internally* that sounds HEAVENLY! Aaagh i wish it was spring here already, it feels like there’s a blizzard every weekend lool. At one point this winter I think the temp was as low as well -10 XD!

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        1. Willow Avatar
          Willow

          Wait that’s so funny, how crazy is that! 😆 I know—it was pretty much perfect🤭 I love the winter but not when it’s constantly blizzarding! Oh my goodness, I can’t imagine -10 😭😆

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          1. Ayva Alda Avatar
            Ayva Alda

            I know, right that’s so cool XD! Aaggh I envy you Southern folks rn lool. Yesss precisely I love all the snow but after a while it can be overwhelming hehe. For real some say it was the coldest winter in two decades XD.

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