a heart hug

This evening when I picked Gage up from Kid’s Church at Table Rock Fellowship, he came running up to me and said, “I asked Jesus into my heart!”

“What?” I asked, just to make sure I heard him correctly.

“I asked Jesus into my heart!” He was grinning from ear to ear - so was I.

During service tonight, Pastor Bob issued an alter call and invited any of the kids who wanted to invite Jesus into their heart to come forward, and Gage did just that! According to Gage, “Lots of kids went forward,” (it was about 5). “Pastor Bob said some stuff, and then I said some stuff after him. Now, Jesus is in my heart.”

It’s that easy. All you have to do is confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) We are saved when we believe Jesus died and was resurrected, and when we sincerely trust Him as our only way to eternal life.

Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Luke 18:16-17)

On the drive home from church Gage told us that he felt something squeeze his heart. Like maybe Jesus was giving him a tiny little hug since He lived in there now. He also declared that he was not quite ready to be baptized. “It is waaaaay to cold to do that!” he declared. I told him that was fine, but that he should let us know when he is ready. “Maybe when the baptismal is fixed,” he replied.

I am so proud of him for going forward to declare his trust in Jesus Christ. He is an amazing boy who will grow into an amazing man of God.

abby baptized

Abby was adamant about being baptized right away. She asked me nearly every half hour for the next two days whether or not I had spoken with her pastor and if she would be getting baptized on Saturday night. Pastor Bob and I were never able to connect, but Abby had me pack a change of clothes for her Saturday night to change into after she was baptized.

When we got to church, Pastor Bob and I spoke. He gave me some verses to go over with Abby so that she would fully understand why she was being baptized and it’s significance, and suggested we take a few weeks to do so. I told Abby the news and her eager face fell in disappointment. I explained that Pastor Bob wanted to make sure she knew why she was being baptized and she immediately responded, “But I know why I’m being baptized! God commands us to do it. It’s to show others the commitment I already made in my heart.” I was convinced. I explained the situation to Pastor Bob, he agreed, and plans were set to baptize Abby that night after service.

It was beautiful. Abby was excited. The baptismal heater was broken. As we stood around, Pastor Bob and Abby stepped down into the near freezing water. He prayed, she was dunked, and we rejoiced! “I will NEVER forget that!” Abby declared.

Abby was obedient to the word of God and I pray that her obedience continues as she grows in her Christian walk.

fruits of the spirit

Today the angels rejoiced! Today, Abby invited Jesus into her heart!

This morning while getting ready for school, Abby was singing a worship song. "I'm talkin' 'bout love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...gentleness, and self control." It was a beautiful sound and it fills my heart with joy that she chooses to sing such positive songs.

So, I have been writing my testimony down, and I am feeling fully convicted about the choices we make. Just because someone was raised in a Christian home, doesn't mean they are a Christian. They still have to choose at some point to invite Jesus into their heart - to make their walk a personal walk with the Lord.

Remembering my recent insight about choices, I used this opportunity to talk to Abby. "Abby, you know that song you are singing is about the fruits of the spirit."
"I know Mom."
"Did you know that God gives you the fruits of the spirit when you invite Jesus into your heart?" I asked her.
"Uh-uh."
"Have you invited Jesus into your heart?" I asked.
"No."
"Do you want to?"
"Yes."
So, that very moment, I stopped curling her hair. We bowed our heads and I led Abby in a prayer inviting Jesus into her heart. Soon after, we went to her room and opened her bible. I found a section in the front of it that described asking Jesus into ones heart and we read the prayer in it. "Hey Abby, that is the same stuff we just prayed in the bathroom." Hallelujah!! We high-fived and praised the Lord.
I then told Abby that when she was ready she should be baptized. I explained what baptism was and how it happened. Gage was in the room as we talked and I overheard him telling his little sister later that, "You invite Jesus into your heart by getting dunked in water." (I did explain to him that that's not how you invite Jesus in, its just a sign to show that you in fact did.) Anyway, before I left her room, she told me she is ready now and wants to be baptized.

Well, I certainly hope that's not where this story ends. I pray that she will continue to grow into the strong, beautiful, and joyful girl that God created her to be. I pray that she will show the fruits of the spirit as she walks in this world. And most of all, I pray that she has a personal relationship with Him, and that she grows closer to God everyday and in every way.

the sleep revolt

I have been blessed with sleep during my short eight year career as a mother. All four of my kids have napped well and slept through the night from infancy. I think God has been protecting my family with this extra measure of grace because I am a grumpy, irrational, emotional mess when I am tired.

This week, my baby stopped being the sound sleeper that afforded me such luxury as a mom. She woke up and was inconsolable for three hours, not once, not twice, but three nights in a row this week. Needless to say, this was a huge shock to my system. I managed the first night of unrest with ease. On good rest, an all-nighter is no problem for me, I can even perform my domestic duties the next day with usual efficiency. The second night of unrest was a little harder. I was less patient, less accommodating, and more agitated. I desperately wanted a nap the next day to refresh my system, but with four small children at home, my desire did not manifest into reality. By the third night of what is now referred to as “The Sleep Revolt,” I was weakened. I was sleep deprived, emotionally drained, and physically exhausted from cradling the baby for three days and nights. There seemed to be no physical reason for her sleeplessness or hysterics. Finally, on that third night, I laid her in bed and stood outside her bedroom door, listening to her cry. I got down on my knees and prayed to the Lord. I praised Him and exalted Him. I thanked Him for my beautiful children and my safe home. And then I cried out to Him for His mercy - to console my inconsolable child - to quiet her cries and soothe her to sleep.

I expected Him to answer my prayer. I anticipated His divine intervention, and I waited on His action. Nothing happened. No miracle that I called for manifested. No prayer I cried out was answered.

As I stood in the hallway - tired and crying - I began to feel insignificant. Since God wasn’t answering my prayer, I felt unimportant, I felt my prayers were not worthy of answer, I felt I did not deserve a miracle, I felt God didn’t even notice me that night. It is CRAZY the things that can go through your head when you are sleep deprived. Because this is what I know - I know God loves me. “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) I know God hears my prayers. “Do not be afraid...your prayer has been heard.” (Luke 1:13) I know I am important to God. “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30)

These are the moments in life that you have to know that you know, that you know, that you know, that you know the truth. Your faith has to be based on truth. The truth of who God is. The truth of what Jesus did. There are going to be many tests of your faith, but God has said, “Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) If my faith was based on feelings I could easily be persuaded that God was not real because I have never felt His physical presence. It would be easy for me to accept that salvation based on grace was not possible because that just doesn’t seem fair.

Scripture commands us to know our faith. Meditate on what scripture says.

“Be still and know that I am God;” (Psalm 46:10 emphasis mine)
“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 emphasis mine)
“so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” (Luke 1:4 emphasis mine)
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.” (Jeremiah 24:7 emphasis mine)

Scripture does not say “be still and feel that I am God,” it doesn’t say, “so that you may feel the certainty of the things you have been taught.” Knowing involves understanding as fact or truth, perceiving clearly and with certainty. Knowing something means it is established in the mind or memory. (Dictionary.com) Strong’s Concordance reveals that to know something you must recognize, admit, acknowledge, and confess it! There is an obvious omission of the term feel or sense. I think this is because emotions are so powerful. Our faith cannot be based on feelings. Feelings change, but God does not.


Now, in the objective presence of daylight and sleep, I can clearly and confidently say that God heard my prayer that night. Why He did not answer with a “yes,” I do not know. Perhaps He wanted me to spend some very real time on my knees in prayer, or maybe He knew that my baby needed some one on one bonding time with her mama. Had He granted my petition that night, I would not have been prompted to hold my baby in my arms for hours, nor would I be forced to reconcile my feelings to the facts now. I do know that God has a very real and specific plan for my life. He loves me and has never left me. Sometimes I may feel separated from God, but I know that nothing can separate me from the love of God (Romans 8:38 paraphrase).



Dearest Lord,

You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. My feelings may change, but Your character never changes. Thank you for Your word so that I can study Your character and Your promises, and I can ground my faith in the truth. I also thank you for the Holy Spirit to give me support and direction along the way.

You are Holy and worthy to be praised!

In Jesus’ name I pray.