We rented white robes and waded into the muddy Jordan. 

Howard and I prayed, thanking God for the call and asking for a special blessing from the Holy Spirit. Standing in the River Jordan, where Jesus could have stood with John at his baptism, was an inspiring experience. 

Raising my hand and speaking loudly, I baptized Howard in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He did the same as he baptized me. We hugged when I came out of the water, and I turned toward shore. A white feather was in front of me on the top of the water. 

A white feather, I was stunned. The Holy Spirit in the form of a white dove had descended on Jesus and uttered the words of the Father, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” I sensed God was saying to me, “You are my beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased.” Tears filled my eyes, and joy filled my heart. God gave me a sign of affirmation for his call. 

A few weeks before this experience, I read a beautiful devotional about God speaking those words to every believing soul. Now, God used that experience and those words to encourage me.

Perhaps you wonder if God is calling you to do something special for him. Maybe you feel inefficient or defective. God is speaking to you today. Can you hear him? “You are my beloved son, my beloved daughter, in whom I am well pleased.” I have a plan for you. I have called you, and you are mine. 

“You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9

What an amazing God we have!