Earlier this summer, one morning Elizabeth and I were on our way to the grocery store. She mentioned something to me about death. Like any parent, I don’t want my child to worry with morbid thoughts, so I explained to her that while it is true that we will die it probably isn’t going to happen soon. And that when we do die, it’s going to be OK. I told her that Mommy and Daddy don’t worry about dying, because Jesus saved us and we will get to go be with him when that time comes.
I don’t think using fire and brimstone is an effective way to really reach the heart of a 4-year old, and I’m not really certain it’s the best way to glorify our Savior to any non-believer of any age. So I proceeded to share with Elizabeth some of my own testimony. I explained to her that I’m really not that great by myself, that Jesus made me a new person and gave me a new heart. Since Jesus now lives in my heart I’m capable of loving like I never could have without him. He is what makes me a good husband and a good dad, and I don’t want any other life than the one where he is the Lord of my life. After I told her that mommy loves Jesus just as much as I do she responded by saying “That’s what I want too”.
When we got to the parking lot I lead her through prayer as she asked Jesus to be the Lord of her life. So far that has to be the most amazing and rewarding thing I have experienced as a parent. Afterwards I explained how she has a Heavenly Father who loves her even more than I do, and that no matter what happens in this life he will always be there for her. It was humbling.
Considering the way the Lord blessed Stephanie and I with our marriage and our family I’m not surprised that Elizabeth wants a life with Jesus, too. To me it feels like she is exactly where she was always meant to be: wrapped in the arms of our creator and our Saviour. She has been a blessing to us since the day we knew Stephanie was pregnant.
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 18:2-4