While I should definitely be writing papers and wrapping up school assignments, I just have to share this first... tonight I watched as the Holy Spirit spoke to the heart of a precious young man, and held his hand as he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior! Tonight, I witnessed parents sharing the testimony of their own stories of accepting Christ with their son. Tonight, I watched one of our Bible drillers flip effortlessly to passages in the Bible because he has worked hard to learn where to find the books of the Bible. Tonight, the last passage I asked him to find, he opened right to the exact page where the verses he was asked to read were located. THAT was cool.
This family's story will be shared when they're ready, and this young man will be the one to tell you that he has committed his life to the Lord. So don't ask. I'm not telling. :) You won't have to wait long! But I am reflecting on a really special evening, and wanted to encourage every family with little ones to follow this family's lead on a few things:
1. Bring your kids to church.
This child knows a lot about the Bible, his Savior, and God's love. This is due of course to his parents' faith and the discussions in their homes, cars and around the table. But this is a family that is faithful to attend church and ensure that their kids are participating. The world is throwing enough garbage at our kids, and we need all the help we can get. Let's encourage each other to get our kids in church and keep them there. Let's also encourage each other by teaching, loving and directing each other's kids to the Truth. Will you join me in pointing our church family's children to the Word of God?
2. Pray with and for your kids.
As soon as we said AMEN, this young man's daddy was wrapping him in a bear hug, and reminding his son that he has been praying for this day, this decision, this most important moment! This family prays together around the dinner table, for the meal and for those around them who need a healing touch from the Lord. I bet if you attend our church and have been sick or hurting, they have lifted you up in prayer! Teaching your children to pray is so important! We are teaching children how to communicate with our awesome God, and we are teaching them that prayer works, that God answers prayer, and that He loves us and listens to us!
3. Share the gospel, and don't quit ever!
Accepting Christ is something we all want for our kids, but it isn't the end. It's the beginning! Now that this young man has dedicated his life to serving Jesus, it is our job to surround him with discipleship, prayer, love and support! Each child who accepts Christ (and adult too!) needs continued discipleship, and as a church family, we should provide it! The gospel isn't something we learn to be saved and move on. The gospel is IT. We never move on from the gospel and we should never tire of hearing about it! If you haven't shared the gospel with someone lately, look no further than home! Tell it to your kids, have them tell it back to you! We should know it so well, it slides seamlessly into conversations so we are able to lead others to Christ! This family has had repeated conversations with their son over the past year especially, since he started expressing an interest in the gospel and how it related directly to his life.
Chris shared the gospel from his heart on Sunday morning during the children's sermon. He wasn't supposed to do it that morning, and he had a completely different object lesson and message prepared, but he was obedient to the Lord and just shared the gospel. I have a cd now of my sweet husband sharing the gospel, and I can't think of anything in the world more valuable! Listening to it today brought me to tears and I am thankful that my children can cherish their daddy's voice speaking the most important message EVER long after we are gone! Can you think of anything better than that?!
4. Support each other.
Parenting is hard, scary, and wonderful all at the same time! We all need encouragement. We all need to hold somebody's hand sometimes and reassure them that it's going to be alright. We all need to be the recipient of that encouragement from time to time too! Find a way to encourage another mom or dad (maybe your spouse!) in love and in friendship. Do you have a friend you can call and pray with over the phone? I am so grateful for friends that will pray with and for me and with and for my kids! BE that friend. I'm thankful for this family, and for their role in my life in adjusting when we moved to Selma, welcoming us to First Baptist Church, and loving me like family. When I pulled up today at their house, their kids were having a great time outside and all waved to us like they hadn't seen us in forever! The love in this family is contagious and sweet. Teach your kids to love others like family, too!I am so proud to know this family that puts an emphasis on prayer, church and family! I know you will be too! Welcome to the Family, little brother!
*On that note, I would like to invite you ALL to our couples Sunday school class. This isn't a scary Bible drill kind of class. Nobody is going to quiz you on your Bible knowledge. This is a group of moms, dads, husbands, wives, and friends who genuinely love each other! You don't have to come as a pair, and several of us attend on our own. It's no big deal! Chris does a pretty good job teaching us, if I do say so myself. He is open to discussion but never puts anyone on the spot, and the mood in class is laid back. There is always coffee, which of course I love. :) Please join us Sunday mornings in room 217 in the building across from the sanctuary! We are supposed to start around 9:30 but we all understand running crazy on a Sunday morning trying to get kids to church, and don't usually get going until closer to 9:45 or even 10 some days!
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