The familiar knock came on the bedroom door. Someone neeeded to talk. The teary voice of our youngest answered our query.
When he entered and came to our bedside, we knew big things were on his mind. He has always thought deeply and asked so many out -of the-blue questions about life and philosophy.
"I just think I need to be saved'. There it was out.
My husband and I both had the same thoughts , I knew.
This child is ...just a child.
I know there are many differing ideas about when a child is ready and they all tumbled through my head. He was not the first to come at the this age ,nor was this the first time he had come.
The first time was several months ago. We talked and determined that he was worried by the sermon and just wanted assurance that he would go to heaven. We prayed with him, told him to keep listening to God and he went merrily on his way.
Should we do the same tonight?
We talked. He was very knowledgable about the whole process , who God is and who he is without God.
He told us he had been doing a lot of thinking and reading. He mentioned that overhearing a conversation by older siblings about their concern for his behavior had bothered him. He mentioned the "Ten Commandment" plaque on the wall.
But after talking awhile my husband still felt some hesitation. He agreed to prayer and thinking it over.
His prayer was simple and sweet. "God, I want to hear You and know it's You and I want to know how to go all the way with You."
My husband and I talked seriously after he left. After eight other children you would think this decision would be easier to truly know how best to lead them through but somehow as always with child-training they each one throw their particular little curve into it.
We rolled over to sleep trusting ourselves and our child to the wisdom of the Holy Spirit's direction and voice.
.....A knock at the door...
"You know, I just really think I need to take care of it now."
There was no denying that certainty.
He added, "It was a weird thing when I was waiting in the hall and coming into the room, I kept hearing the word, 'someday', 'someday'......I think it was the devil...."
Ah, yes, even a child can know.
Again his prayer was simple , though longer than before. He started " Thank you....God, I pray to be a good soldier for you......I'm sorry.....I pray that I can go all the way with you and never give up......"
Yes, Lord!!!
finding orchids in the laundry....
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
My Jesus Knows Just What I Need
My sister related a precious story to me that happened Saturday evening at my Mom's.
My Mom was "diagnosed" over 6 yrs ago with an incurable, terminal, motor neuron problem of undetermined cause or name. Within the last year we have come to understand that it was most likely Lyme disease left untreated. They began to call it Lou Gehrigs a year ago.
About 3 yrs ago she lost her ability to communicate verbally and this past summer became unable to type or write or eat.
She has been bedridden for the last few months.
In the Spring of 2011 Drs. told us to expect her to be gone by Fall '11, then changed it to Christmas, then said she could not make it to her 70th birthday Feb 20, 2012.
The process has been long, drawn out, and full of challenges, difficulties and emotions. One of the hardest to deal with has been the difficulty of communciation, expecially because it is evident that her mind and ability to comprehend has been largely unaffected.
She is no longer able to make any signs except occasionally to wiggle her toe in answer to a question.
My Dad does most of her care. Hospice nurses and we, children and grandchildren take up the extra. Someone of the family is there all the time.
This past weekend 5 of my siblings, and several of the in-laws and grandchildren were there. My niece who lives about 450 miles away wanted to show Grandma her new baby and the others had various other reasons.
Saturday evening as they sat and visited around Mom's bed , she became increasingly agitated , trying to communicate something to them. They tried and tried but were unable to determine what it was. My dad finally gave up in weariness as my sisters still struggled to understand.
It was then that my 13yrld nephew stepped over quietly to his Mom and asked if he could sing a song for Grandma. When he was told to go ahead, he slipped from the room to where the shelf where Mom's hymnals are kept and returned with it open to his selection. He stepped to the side of Grandma's bed and began to sing...
My Jesus knows when I am Lonely
He knows each pain, He sees each tear
He understands each lonely heartache
He understands because He cares
Chorus:
My Jesus knows just what I need
Oh yes! He knows just what I need
He satisfies and every need supplies
Yes, He knows just what I need
My Jesus knows when I am burdened
He knows how much my heart can bear
He lifts me up when I am sinking
And brings me joy beyond compare
When other friends seem to forget me
When skies are dark, when hope is gone
By faith I feel His arms around me
And hear Him say, "You're not alone"
Chorus:
My Jesus knows just what I need
Oh yes! He knows just what I need
He satisfies and every need supplies
Yes, He knows just what I need
He satisfies and every need supplies
Yes, He knows just what I need
When he began to sing, Mom quieted and long before he finished all stanzas, every adult in the room was in tears.
Yes, My Jesus knows just what I need , what anyone needs, even when know one else can understand.
A little child shall lead them.
My Mom was "diagnosed" over 6 yrs ago with an incurable, terminal, motor neuron problem of undetermined cause or name. Within the last year we have come to understand that it was most likely Lyme disease left untreated. They began to call it Lou Gehrigs a year ago.
About 3 yrs ago she lost her ability to communicate verbally and this past summer became unable to type or write or eat.
She has been bedridden for the last few months.
In the Spring of 2011 Drs. told us to expect her to be gone by Fall '11, then changed it to Christmas, then said she could not make it to her 70th birthday Feb 20, 2012.
The process has been long, drawn out, and full of challenges, difficulties and emotions. One of the hardest to deal with has been the difficulty of communciation, expecially because it is evident that her mind and ability to comprehend has been largely unaffected.
She is no longer able to make any signs except occasionally to wiggle her toe in answer to a question.
My Dad does most of her care. Hospice nurses and we, children and grandchildren take up the extra. Someone of the family is there all the time.
This past weekend 5 of my siblings, and several of the in-laws and grandchildren were there. My niece who lives about 450 miles away wanted to show Grandma her new baby and the others had various other reasons.
Saturday evening as they sat and visited around Mom's bed , she became increasingly agitated , trying to communicate something to them. They tried and tried but were unable to determine what it was. My dad finally gave up in weariness as my sisters still struggled to understand.
It was then that my 13yrld nephew stepped over quietly to his Mom and asked if he could sing a song for Grandma. When he was told to go ahead, he slipped from the room to where the shelf where Mom's hymnals are kept and returned with it open to his selection. He stepped to the side of Grandma's bed and began to sing...
My Jesus knows when I am Lonely He knows each pain, He sees each tear
He understands each lonely heartache
He understands because He cares
Chorus:
My Jesus knows just what I need
Oh yes! He knows just what I need
He satisfies and every need supplies
Yes, He knows just what I need
My Jesus knows when I am burdened
He knows how much my heart can bear
He lifts me up when I am sinking
And brings me joy beyond compare
When other friends seem to forget me
When skies are dark, when hope is gone
By faith I feel His arms around me
And hear Him say, "You're not alone"
Chorus:
My Jesus knows just what I need
Oh yes! He knows just what I need
He satisfies and every need supplies
Yes, He knows just what I need
He satisfies and every need supplies
Yes, He knows just what I need
When he began to sing, Mom quieted and long before he finished all stanzas, every adult in the room was in tears.
Yes, My Jesus knows just what I need , what anyone needs, even when know one else can understand.
A little child shall lead them.
Monday, February 27, 2012
A Little Child...Big questions
His little voice was teary and very serious. He had some very hard questions for Daddy.
At the first hesitant words, Daddy stopped what he was doing at the desk and took him on his lap. He is almost getting too big. His legs dangle on the ground. He is 9.
"Dad, how do you know if you want to be a Christian for the right reason? " His words kinda tumbled and jumbled from there. His thoughts were difficult for him to form.
Paraphrased something like this, "I don't really intentionally do wrong things. But I do wrong things sometimes. Does that mean I will go to hell? I don't want to go to Hell . I want to go to Heaven. But I don't know if being afraid of going to Hell is a reason to be a christian."
Wise little man.
Mommy had stopped on the stairs at the first words and came back to join the conversation somewhere in the middle there. This was going to be an important conversation.
My husband gently , slowly, explained salvation, discipleship, love and fear , motivations and convictions with him. Big concepts, are sometimes hard to put into words clearly enough for such important questions in one so young.
It was one of those moments when you know the gravity of your responsibility of training this little one for life, for God , for eternity.
Big questions; Hard questions; Wise questions. Thank you , Lord for your infinitely, gentle, leading of your little ones.
Questions....questions that a lot of us adults need to ponder long and hard ourselves.
Are we a Christian for the right reasons?
At the first hesitant words, Daddy stopped what he was doing at the desk and took him on his lap. He is almost getting too big. His legs dangle on the ground. He is 9.
"Dad, how do you know if you want to be a Christian for the right reason? " His words kinda tumbled and jumbled from there. His thoughts were difficult for him to form.
Paraphrased something like this, "I don't really intentionally do wrong things. But I do wrong things sometimes. Does that mean I will go to hell? I don't want to go to Hell . I want to go to Heaven. But I don't know if being afraid of going to Hell is a reason to be a christian."
Wise little man.
Mommy had stopped on the stairs at the first words and came back to join the conversation somewhere in the middle there. This was going to be an important conversation.
My husband gently , slowly, explained salvation, discipleship, love and fear , motivations and convictions with him. Big concepts, are sometimes hard to put into words clearly enough for such important questions in one so young.
It was one of those moments when you know the gravity of your responsibility of training this little one for life, for God , for eternity.
Big questions; Hard questions; Wise questions. Thank you , Lord for your infinitely, gentle, leading of your little ones.
Questions....questions that a lot of us adults need to ponder long and hard ourselves.
Are we a Christian for the right reasons?
Friday, February 18, 2011
Nailing Jesus to The Cross
I found this in my xanga blog archives and it touched me again.....
It was an ordinary day, with ordinary duties and conversation.Then out of the mouth of the 4 yr old it came, "Mom, if I tell a lie, is that just like nailing Jesus to the cross again?" His little voice was very serious.
I stopped... Now that is a good question! In trying to understand where the question came from, it became apparent he had overheard conversation on Heb. 4:6 "...seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame." and Heb.10:29..."who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing..."
As I attempted to put into 4 yr old language the concept of those verses, suddenly the day was no longer ordinary. What an awesome concept and leave it to a little child to see it in its simplicity. How often have I stopped to really put that into perspective against my sin?
What could I say? Yes, really it is that simple. We, as adults try to distance ourselves from these verses by saying that means the hardened,unrepentant sinner. Why not make it more personal? When I sin, I may as well be nailing my Saviour to the cross again. He bore my sin once and for all to grant me forgiveness and freedom from sin. Why do act as if that wasn't sufficient? Why do I shame Him by treating that great sacrifice of so little consequence that I can't even get victory over those same pesky "little " things that cloud my life over and over?
It was a gem of truth in an otherwise ordinary day. There are so, many, many reasons Jesus said " ye must become as little children". Thank You, my son, thank you, my Father!
It was an ordinary day, with ordinary duties and conversation.Then out of the mouth of the 4 yr old it came, "Mom, if I tell a lie, is that just like nailing Jesus to the cross again?" His little voice was very serious.
I stopped... Now that is a good question! In trying to understand where the question came from, it became apparent he had overheard conversation on Heb. 4:6 "...seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame." and Heb.10:29..."who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing..."
As I attempted to put into 4 yr old language the concept of those verses, suddenly the day was no longer ordinary. What an awesome concept and leave it to a little child to see it in its simplicity. How often have I stopped to really put that into perspective against my sin?
What could I say? Yes, really it is that simple. We, as adults try to distance ourselves from these verses by saying that means the hardened,unrepentant sinner. Why not make it more personal? When I sin, I may as well be nailing my Saviour to the cross again. He bore my sin once and for all to grant me forgiveness and freedom from sin. Why do act as if that wasn't sufficient? Why do I shame Him by treating that great sacrifice of so little consequence that I can't even get victory over those same pesky "little " things that cloud my life over and over?
It was a gem of truth in an otherwise ordinary day. There are so, many, many reasons Jesus said " ye must become as little children". Thank You, my son, thank you, my Father!
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