Something happened this week that made me (Jim) stop and realize that there are more important things in life.
Amid all of the "what I need to get done this week" thoughts that were swirling in my head as I prepared to leave for work on Monday, Marianna (age 5) came downstairs and sat at the kitchen table. Just as I was heading toward the door, she said "Oh, Kathryn said I should tell you that I want to give my life to Jesus." Wow - praise God. But I immediately had conflicting thoughts. The first thought was "great" and the second thought was "I wish we could postpone this for a few years". So I told Marianna that we would talk about it later that night.
You see, I was young when I became a believer (7 almost 8 years old). And while I feel that God was calling me at that time, I think those who are older when they trust Jesus understand the depth of the commitment that is being made so it means more to them. So I have never "pushed" our children to make a commitment to Jesus, yet the older two on their own just wanted to become Christians. The Bible is clear about Jesus welcoming children and rebuking the disciples when they tried to turn children away, so I certainly do not want to get rebuked!
Back to Marianna: I postponed talking to her about Jesus till later. The slightly secret hope is that we could postpone it a few years till she understood more about what trusting Jesus means. But that night during the family "talk and pray" before bedtime, she raised her hand.
"Marianna, would you like to say something?"
"I told you this morning that I wanted to give my life to Jesus and you said that we would talk about it tonight."
Well, yes I did, didn't I.
So as a family we went over the basic plan that all people are "bad" and that Jesus died and was resurrected so we could be "saved". She understood and prayed to God. Since the angels rejoice when a new believer enters the kingdom, so we also rejoiced.
Amid all of the "what I need to get done this week" thoughts that were swirling in my head as I prepared to leave for work on Monday, Marianna (age 5) came downstairs and sat at the kitchen table. Just as I was heading toward the door, she said "Oh, Kathryn said I should tell you that I want to give my life to Jesus." Wow - praise God. But I immediately had conflicting thoughts. The first thought was "great" and the second thought was "I wish we could postpone this for a few years". So I told Marianna that we would talk about it later that night.
You see, I was young when I became a believer (7 almost 8 years old). And while I feel that God was calling me at that time, I think those who are older when they trust Jesus understand the depth of the commitment that is being made so it means more to them. So I have never "pushed" our children to make a commitment to Jesus, yet the older two on their own just wanted to become Christians. The Bible is clear about Jesus welcoming children and rebuking the disciples when they tried to turn children away, so I certainly do not want to get rebuked!
Back to Marianna: I postponed talking to her about Jesus till later. The slightly secret hope is that we could postpone it a few years till she understood more about what trusting Jesus means. But that night during the family "talk and pray" before bedtime, she raised her hand.
"Marianna, would you like to say something?"
"I told you this morning that I wanted to give my life to Jesus and you said that we would talk about it tonight."
Well, yes I did, didn't I.
So as a family we went over the basic plan that all people are "bad" and that Jesus died and was resurrected so we could be "saved". She understood and prayed to God. Since the angels rejoice when a new believer enters the kingdom, so we also rejoiced.
3 comments:
Hi Jim,
Just like God. Life happens while we are busy making plans...Had to respond...you know, if there were not testimonies like Marianna's, where we came to know Christ early and continued through life learning what that involved why would we want to bring children into this world. I rejoice with you that Marianna had made that step. Both Mason and Tim did it early too. I told them this is the first step you take with Christ. I then encouraged them to watch, because God will use his Hold Spirit now to teach what is means to live for Him. And then as life comes along... just like you do with your older ones, you apply what life brings your way to deepen her walk with Him. Tell her I am so happy:)
We are faithfully praying for you guys as you travel and adjust and settle into the unknown. Blessings on each of you. I know you will be tremendously enriched by this experience.
Mary
Good for Marianna. And credit to you that she has been brought up in a Christian home so that she has come to know the Lord at such an early age. Yes, the depth of her understanding will grow as she matures, but that can be said for all of us. I'm glad you took the time to guide her in this most important decision. Who knows if the opportunity would have presented itself in such a way again.
Enjoy your adventure.
sc
Thanks for the encouragement Mary and sc.
I think that the challenge now is to make the daily Christian walk meaningful enough for her that it does not become stale, lukewarm, uninteresting and/or irrelevant as she gets older. God will lead but (a) Deborah and I will need to be sincere in our Christianity, which is easier said than done and (b) we need to give her ministry opportunities appropriate for her age and understanding.
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