Teen affirms her commitment to God
Published:Saturday | February 16, 2019 | 12:00 AM
Abigail Doeman made a commitment to God some 13 years ago that she would follow Him – a pledge that the now 18-year-old told Family & Religion she has never once regretted.
“One day, when I was five years old, I was sitting with my mom in church and I heard the pastor call for people to give their hearts to God, and two persons went up.
“After he was finished and did the benediction, something got a hold of me on the inside, and immediately, I felt the urge to say to my mom, ‘Mommy I want to be baptised’,” Doeman said, recalling her mother’s response being one of disbelief based on her age at the time.
After enquiring of her daughter whether she was sure that baptism was what she wanted, the mother took her child to the pastor’s wife to share the news.
“They asked me if I was still sure, and my mom went as far as showing me the pool of water which had much depth.And I was still brave enough to say yes. The same day I decided to give my heart to the Lord was the same night that I got baptised,” she shared.
Today, the sixth-form student of Denbigh High in Clarendon lists getting to know Christ at an early age and proving Him to be faithful ever since as her biggest joys.
In fact, she encourages parents to allow their children to get baptised at whatever age they decide.
Doeman advised, “Please don’t prevent them. Sometimes that’s the particular age God wants them to know Him. There is a verse or chapter in the Bible that speaks about when Jesus and His disciples were out, and Jesus was teaching, as always, and little children wanted to see Jesus. And His disciples tried to stop them because they felt as if they were disturbing Him, but He didn’t mind.
“Hence it was said, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto to me and forbid them not...’ So, as parents, give them their freedom of choice. It doesn’t matter how young or old they are; everyone has a purpose on their lives.”
The student also mentioned how her faith has blessed others, including her peers.
“I remember one day at school, there was this classmate of mine who was going through a depressing time, and she came and asked me to talk and pray with her, which I did. After that encouragement, she just started crying and letting everything out. From that day she recommitted herself to God, allowing Him to work in her life, and she hasn’t been the girl I knew before,” Doeman shared.
She admitted that her journey hasn’t always been easy, but she was able to find solace through praying and in the word of God.
According to her, “The Bible talks about the straight and narrow, and instead of straying from that narrow path, I decided to keep my faith in The One who loved me before I loved Him. It’s not easy, but it’ll be worth it in the end.”