Slowly, but surely the day for our return to Peru is coming. Less than a month - wow! As I look back on these past few months, there is something particular that stands out in my mind and in my heart.
Written on the pages of my mind's Memory Book are memories of "The Little Places." Little places where people are faithfully serving the Lord and reaching their community. Little, out-of-the-way places that we missionaries pray over and long to reach for Christ. Little places that don't seem to have any light for Christ at all - in America.
In December, we were in New England. There are so many places there without a church that preaches the Gospel! We drove through the quaint little village of Woodstock, VT. On the west end of town, almost the first thing that meets the eye is the building that is for a Jewish Congregation. After that, you will see the Christian Science building, the Congregational building, and the list goes on. Maybe I just didn't see it, but I wondered, "Is there an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church here?" I wished I could spread myself out and be in more than one place at a time!
Recently, we were in California. We had a blessed time there. The Lord allowed us to see the Redwood Trees. How beautiful our Saviour's Creation is! As we drove along, we drove through many "Little Places." One place in particular stuck in my mind and heart. As we drove into Orick, CA, I noticed that the sign said, "Population 650." There really isn't much in Orick. No Walmart, no McDonald's - I don't think there was even a Dollar General! But what left the greatest impression on my heart was....No Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. Tears rolled down my cheeks as I thought about those 650 people. Where do they get to go to hear that Jesus loves them and died for them? Don't they deserve a chance to hear the Gospel? Don't they deserve a church of their own? Again I wished I could spread myself and my family out - you know, kind of split us in halves or quarters - just to stay and give those people a chance to hear "Jesus Saves."
We went to the Zoo today. While we were there, we got to experience a "Gem Dig." It was great fun, and we came home with all kinds of treasures. The funny thing is, we don't know enough about gems to know whether something we have is valuable or not! The Lord reminded me how the "Little Places" are like those stones. "The Little Places" are precious to the Creator. He knows the value of each "Little Place" far better than we do!
So while I am praying for the little, out-of-the-way, unimportant places in the country God has called us to, I feel the Holy Spirit pricking my heart to pray for the the little, out-of-the-way, unimportant places in the country God has called us from. Won't you join me in praying for the people who live in "The Little Places" - in America and on the mission field?
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
When Cultures Collide
I would like to tell you a story this morning. It is a true story. I don't want you to pity the missionary children - I want you to know how to pray for missionary children better.
As we all know, missionary children grow up in a different culture. Yes, they are American, and we parents do our best to instill a love of America into our children. But what happens when they come back to the States? Sometimes two cultures collide. When those cultures collide, many different emotions are experienced - by the children, by the parents, and by the loving people who happen to see the "collision."
Opening Scene: One Sunday morning as Lucy and her family are heading to church. Lucy and her brother pepper their parents with questions: "Is there a children's class?" "Can I go to the kids' class?" "May I have an offering?" The parents try not to be frustrated with the long list of questions. As the family arrives at yet another new church, Mama and Daddy take the kids and head into the church. A dear lady offers to help Mama by showing her to the kids' classes. Lucy and her brother, Bud, are SO excited!!! Lil' Sister doesn't really care - she has Mama and that's all that matters!
Scene 2: Mama, Bud, and Lucy sitting together in church. Lucy and Bud are doing their best to follow the service - stand, sit, stand, sing, shake hands, sit...... Then Mama and Bud sing a special. After the special, Lucy and Bud go to children's church.
Scene 3: Mama goes to pick up the children from their classes. Mama notices that Bud is sitting on a bench with the other children. She tells him to stay right there - she has to go get Lucy and Lil' Sister. Bud smiles and goes back to his bag of goodies from class. As Mama peeks into Lucy's class, she sees Lucy sitting by herself with her head down. Mama immediately assumes that Lucy is needing a "gratitude adjustment." Teacher explains that the children were playing "Musical Chairs" and Lucy ended up "out." When Lucy comes to Mama, Lucy is crying. Mama stops and tries to find out why Lucy is sobbing! In frustration and despair, Lucy blurts out, "Nobody would let me sit down! They wouldn't let me have a chair! The children wouldn't let me sit in a chair!"
*Do you see the "collision"? Lucy has never played "Musical Chairs," and if she has, she didn't recognize the game because she has played it in another language. (We smile at the thought of doing things in another language, and not recognizing it in our native tongue, but it happens - especially to missionary children.) In her mind, the children were being rude to her and not sharing a chair with her. In Teacher's mind, Lucy is upset because she is "out." Mama has mixed emotions. She's feels hurt for her daughter, who doesn't understand a game that is normal for other American children. She feels as if she has failed her daughter by not teaching her a simple American child's game. She wants to laugh, but this is a crisis to Lucy. Mama also feels unprepared and thoughtless - yet how could she have known such a thing would happen?
Closing Scene: Amid all the people walking around, Mama kneels and gives Lucy a hug and tries to explain. Mama, Lucy, and Bud play the game together in the hotel that afternoon, using pillows instead of chairs. Teacher sees Mama before the evening service and asks about Lucy. Teacher is afraid Lucy didn't enjoy herself in class. Mama explains why Lucy was upset. Teacher nods in relief.
It is my opinion that Missionary Kids are heroes. They sit in a car for hours on end, they go to places they've never been, they meet people who have known them since they were born, but they don't know those people, they have no schedule or routine. Are they perfect? No. They struggle just like any other child. The only difference is geographical.
So when you are praying for your missionaries, please remember to pray especially for the missionary children. Pray for the missionary parents to have wisdom to properly handle the "collisions" that will occur. But pray for the missionary children who experience the "collisions" first hand. Pray that we (parents, children, and loving by-standers) will let these "collisions" become a tool to help each of us to be closer to our Saviour and bring honor to Him!
As we all know, missionary children grow up in a different culture. Yes, they are American, and we parents do our best to instill a love of America into our children. But what happens when they come back to the States? Sometimes two cultures collide. When those cultures collide, many different emotions are experienced - by the children, by the parents, and by the loving people who happen to see the "collision."
Opening Scene: One Sunday morning as Lucy and her family are heading to church. Lucy and her brother pepper their parents with questions: "Is there a children's class?" "Can I go to the kids' class?" "May I have an offering?" The parents try not to be frustrated with the long list of questions. As the family arrives at yet another new church, Mama and Daddy take the kids and head into the church. A dear lady offers to help Mama by showing her to the kids' classes. Lucy and her brother, Bud, are SO excited!!! Lil' Sister doesn't really care - she has Mama and that's all that matters!
Scene 2: Mama, Bud, and Lucy sitting together in church. Lucy and Bud are doing their best to follow the service - stand, sit, stand, sing, shake hands, sit...... Then Mama and Bud sing a special. After the special, Lucy and Bud go to children's church.
Scene 3: Mama goes to pick up the children from their classes. Mama notices that Bud is sitting on a bench with the other children. She tells him to stay right there - she has to go get Lucy and Lil' Sister. Bud smiles and goes back to his bag of goodies from class. As Mama peeks into Lucy's class, she sees Lucy sitting by herself with her head down. Mama immediately assumes that Lucy is needing a "gratitude adjustment." Teacher explains that the children were playing "Musical Chairs" and Lucy ended up "out." When Lucy comes to Mama, Lucy is crying. Mama stops and tries to find out why Lucy is sobbing! In frustration and despair, Lucy blurts out, "Nobody would let me sit down! They wouldn't let me have a chair! The children wouldn't let me sit in a chair!"
*Do you see the "collision"? Lucy has never played "Musical Chairs," and if she has, she didn't recognize the game because she has played it in another language. (We smile at the thought of doing things in another language, and not recognizing it in our native tongue, but it happens - especially to missionary children.) In her mind, the children were being rude to her and not sharing a chair with her. In Teacher's mind, Lucy is upset because she is "out." Mama has mixed emotions. She's feels hurt for her daughter, who doesn't understand a game that is normal for other American children. She feels as if she has failed her daughter by not teaching her a simple American child's game. She wants to laugh, but this is a crisis to Lucy. Mama also feels unprepared and thoughtless - yet how could she have known such a thing would happen?
Closing Scene: Amid all the people walking around, Mama kneels and gives Lucy a hug and tries to explain. Mama, Lucy, and Bud play the game together in the hotel that afternoon, using pillows instead of chairs. Teacher sees Mama before the evening service and asks about Lucy. Teacher is afraid Lucy didn't enjoy herself in class. Mama explains why Lucy was upset. Teacher nods in relief.
It is my opinion that Missionary Kids are heroes. They sit in a car for hours on end, they go to places they've never been, they meet people who have known them since they were born, but they don't know those people, they have no schedule or routine. Are they perfect? No. They struggle just like any other child. The only difference is geographical.
So when you are praying for your missionaries, please remember to pray especially for the missionary children. Pray for the missionary parents to have wisdom to properly handle the "collisions" that will occur. But pray for the missionary children who experience the "collisions" first hand. Pray that we (parents, children, and loving by-standers) will let these "collisions" become a tool to help each of us to be closer to our Saviour and bring honor to Him!
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Praying for the Missionary
We have all heard "Pray for your missionaries" many times! It seems redundant to even write a post about the importance of praying for the missionary, but when the Lord leads, you should act. I've learned this the last few days. I received an e-mail today from a dear friend of mine. She has family members serving as missionaries in a country full of unrest at this time. The Lord used that e-mail to urge me to write this post.
We all know we should pray for our missionaries. Many times we've read list after list of how to pray for the missionary or even specific requests from the missionary. Sometimes we simply pray, "Lord, bless, Missionary So-and-So. You know what they need. In Jesus' Name, Amen." We pray that way because we don't really know what the missionary needs. We think, "I would pray specifically, but the missionary won't give specifics!" But did you know that sometimes the missionary can't give you specifics? We missionaries want and need your prayers. But sometimes we aren't specific because we don't want our families back in the States to worry. Sometimes it is a matter of confidentiality or safety for the missionary or the national. Some missionaries live and work in restricted access countries.
As parents, it is our joy and privilege to teach our children to pray. I cannot explain to you the sweet and precious blessing it is to hear our children praying for others - sometimes people they don't even know. For example: Martha prays for the salvation of a Japanese man she has never met. Ian prays for two Deaf people in Kenya, Africa to be saved. I love to hear the confidence they manifest in their prayers - the confidence that their prayers are already answered - we're just waiting to hear the official announcement! As missionary parents, it is our blessed privilege to teach our children not only to be thankful for the prayers of others for us, but also to pray for other missionaries and their needs.
So how exactly should we be praying for our missionaries?
Pray for our safety. It was a comfort and blessing to me, when I was a single missionary, to know there were people praying for our safety during a time of bombing in our city. It is a comfort and blessing to me as a wife and mommy to know there are people praying for our safety here in Peru.
Pray for our health. We recently experienced a time here when many of the children Martha and Ian play with had chicken pox! I'll admit that was the last thing I really wanted to deal with this close to having Phebe! But I know there were people praying…most of the children had mild cases, and God protected my children from having chicken pox at all! I am NOT rejoicing in the sickness of others…it's coming in the future for us, I know…and that's fine. God just knew I had enough on my plate at the moment and spared us. Someone was praying.
Pray for the people we are called to reach for Christ. Pray for open doors, opportunities to witness, chances to be a great testimony for Christ. Pray that the hearts of the people would be soft and responsive to the Gospel. Pray for the spiritual growth and maturity of those who are saved.
Pray for more laborers. We hear that one preached quite often - in fact, I just heard a message about that very topic from one of my favorite preachers! I recently read a blog about an unreached city in Greenland. How I wished I could go, but God has called me to Peru. Today I heard about another ministry here in Peru that is without a pastor - we wanted to go, but for now God has called us to stay. So what can we do? Pray for more laborers.
James 5:16 "…and pray one for another…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Remember, the same God who knows what you need, knows what we missionaries need. He will answer. And what a blessed time we'll have sharing our prayers and our answers to those prayers with each other! We may not know those prayers or answers here on earth, but for sure in Heaven for all eternity - with the One who answered!
We all know we should pray for our missionaries. Many times we've read list after list of how to pray for the missionary or even specific requests from the missionary. Sometimes we simply pray, "Lord, bless, Missionary So-and-So. You know what they need. In Jesus' Name, Amen." We pray that way because we don't really know what the missionary needs. We think, "I would pray specifically, but the missionary won't give specifics!" But did you know that sometimes the missionary can't give you specifics? We missionaries want and need your prayers. But sometimes we aren't specific because we don't want our families back in the States to worry. Sometimes it is a matter of confidentiality or safety for the missionary or the national. Some missionaries live and work in restricted access countries.
As parents, it is our joy and privilege to teach our children to pray. I cannot explain to you the sweet and precious blessing it is to hear our children praying for others - sometimes people they don't even know. For example: Martha prays for the salvation of a Japanese man she has never met. Ian prays for two Deaf people in Kenya, Africa to be saved. I love to hear the confidence they manifest in their prayers - the confidence that their prayers are already answered - we're just waiting to hear the official announcement! As missionary parents, it is our blessed privilege to teach our children not only to be thankful for the prayers of others for us, but also to pray for other missionaries and their needs.
So how exactly should we be praying for our missionaries?
Pray for our safety. It was a comfort and blessing to me, when I was a single missionary, to know there were people praying for our safety during a time of bombing in our city. It is a comfort and blessing to me as a wife and mommy to know there are people praying for our safety here in Peru.
Pray for our health. We recently experienced a time here when many of the children Martha and Ian play with had chicken pox! I'll admit that was the last thing I really wanted to deal with this close to having Phebe! But I know there were people praying…most of the children had mild cases, and God protected my children from having chicken pox at all! I am NOT rejoicing in the sickness of others…it's coming in the future for us, I know…and that's fine. God just knew I had enough on my plate at the moment and spared us. Someone was praying.
Pray for the people we are called to reach for Christ. Pray for open doors, opportunities to witness, chances to be a great testimony for Christ. Pray that the hearts of the people would be soft and responsive to the Gospel. Pray for the spiritual growth and maturity of those who are saved.
Pray for more laborers. We hear that one preached quite often - in fact, I just heard a message about that very topic from one of my favorite preachers! I recently read a blog about an unreached city in Greenland. How I wished I could go, but God has called me to Peru. Today I heard about another ministry here in Peru that is without a pastor - we wanted to go, but for now God has called us to stay. So what can we do? Pray for more laborers.
James 5:16 "…and pray one for another…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Remember, the same God who knows what you need, knows what we missionaries need. He will answer. And what a blessed time we'll have sharing our prayers and our answers to those prayers with each other! We may not know those prayers or answers here on earth, but for sure in Heaven for all eternity - with the One who answered!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Faith Rewarded
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6
I want to tell you about Celeste, Ian and Martha's friend from Callao. Ian has been praying for Celeste's salvation for quite some time. About a week or so ago, Martha started praying for Celeste as well. Saturday night, she told me she would like to use her "Witnessing Book" and talk to Celeste about how to be saved! Can you imagine what that does to a Mommy's heart? I still marvel at how God is working in the life of my little girl, and how He uses her!
We talked to Celeste on Sunday. Martha started out, but got stuck (it was her first time to witness to anyone after all!). I had the joy and blessing of finishing witnessing to Celeste. Today Celeste is a member of God's family, because on Sunday, she prayed and asked Jesus to save her! What a special joy it was to see this 6-year-old girl ask Jesus to live in her heart! The added joy is that now her whole family is saved - Grandparents (her Dad's parents), Dad, Mom, and now Celeste! I look forward to the day her baby sister (who is due any time now!) gets saved as well! My heart was certainly full, as God rewarded the faith of both my children, and Martha in particular had a part in sharing the Gospel with her friend!
Ian is still praying for Daniel to be saved. Daniel is a Deaf man in Kenya, Africa. I copied this picture from my friend Jessica's blog! What a blessing to see my son praying for the salvation of others - even though he's not yet saved himself!
Martha has been faithfully praying for Mr. Nishio (or as she says, "Mr. Nishi-OH!") to be saved. I laugh sometimes - not at her prayers, but at the way my children think! You know, we work with the Deaf, and so Martha's natural question to me was, "Mommy, can 'Mr. Nishi-OH!' talk?"
How I praise the Lord for the tender heart He has given her. She has added her classmates from school, Mateo and Benjamin, to her salvation prayer list. She was praying for a couple of the girls recently also, and one day very boldly asked them if they were saved! I think they were a little shocked at the question, but they both said they were saved, and I rejoiced at the boldness of my daughter!
I count it a joy to teach my children the blessing of praying for others!
We talked to Celeste on Sunday. Martha started out, but got stuck (it was her first time to witness to anyone after all!). I had the joy and blessing of finishing witnessing to Celeste. Today Celeste is a member of God's family, because on Sunday, she prayed and asked Jesus to save her! What a special joy it was to see this 6-year-old girl ask Jesus to live in her heart! The added joy is that now her whole family is saved - Grandparents (her Dad's parents), Dad, Mom, and now Celeste! I look forward to the day her baby sister (who is due any time now!) gets saved as well! My heart was certainly full, as God rewarded the faith of both my children, and Martha in particular had a part in sharing the Gospel with her friend!
![[Image]](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6KKlrksjRDYgNQhoicR-nt-Rg6DbOZ8QE01l3EiFNkPj33j4LzC3L1a-W4eWJz-ca_F8oBczMJxNMoGDUomDtbLY47oIvzzv-_ywEsYLt4prZxGJePHmXrryjrTPPXNC4KSIOlad-LAEx/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG) |
| Daniel on the left holding the small boy |
Martha has been faithfully praying for Mr. Nishio (or as she says, "Mr. Nishi-OH!") to be saved. I laugh sometimes - not at her prayers, but at the way my children think! You know, we work with the Deaf, and so Martha's natural question to me was, "Mommy, can 'Mr. Nishi-OH!' talk?"
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| My Two Little Missionaries |
I count it a joy to teach my children the blessing of praying for others!
Monday, July 1, 2013
The Faith of a Child
Last night we took turns praying as a family before bedtime. Do you ever stop to think how precious the prayers of children must be to our Saviour? All prayers are precious to Him, but I think the prayers of children must be extra-special. And oh, the faith that children show!
Martha has been praying for Mr. Nishio to be saved. Mr. Nishio lives in Japan. Last night when I reminded Martha to pray for him, she asked incredulously, "He's not saved YET?!?!?" It was so sweet to see the attitude of expectation, the attitude of the whole matter is already settled, the deed is done. Wow! What faith! To be convinced that our prayers are already answered! We should be convinced! But so many times our "grown-up reasoning" overrides "child-like faith"!
Last night, Ian prayed for Daniel (a Deaf man in Kenya, Africa) to be saved. Today when I thanked him from Aunt Jessi for praying for Daniel, Ian immediately prayed for him again. As soon as he had finished praying (he always gets right to the point in his prayers), he informed me, "He's (Daniel) saved now."
How convicting it is at times to see and hear my children pray! How precious it is to see their faith and know how pleasing it is unto the Lord! Oh, that I would always come to my Heavenly Father with such simple, child-like faith!
Martha has been praying for Mr. Nishio to be saved. Mr. Nishio lives in Japan. Last night when I reminded Martha to pray for him, she asked incredulously, "He's not saved YET?!?!?" It was so sweet to see the attitude of expectation, the attitude of the whole matter is already settled, the deed is done. Wow! What faith! To be convinced that our prayers are already answered! We should be convinced! But so many times our "grown-up reasoning" overrides "child-like faith"!
Last night, Ian prayed for Daniel (a Deaf man in Kenya, Africa) to be saved. Today when I thanked him from Aunt Jessi for praying for Daniel, Ian immediately prayed for him again. As soon as he had finished praying (he always gets right to the point in his prayers), he informed me, "He's (Daniel) saved now."
How convicting it is at times to see and hear my children pray! How precious it is to see their faith and know how pleasing it is unto the Lord! Oh, that I would always come to my Heavenly Father with such simple, child-like faith!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Prayer and Praise
The Lord has been teaching me much about praying for others....it is something I know I should be doing, but sometimes my prayers end up pretty general - you know the kind..."God, please bless So-and-So in whatever is going on in their life today." The Lord has been showing me how important it is to pray specifically for people. Naturally, my own family gets to be the "guinea pigs" when it comes to the Lord's lessons in my life!
The Lord has been encouraging me to be specific in my prayers. There are certain character qualities I want to be evident in the lives of my children, but if I don't pray for those things specifically, how will they be there? Then the thought comes to mind, that the very things I want for my children must be evident in my life first - whew!
So how exactly should I be praying for others? Find out their needs and pray for that area exactly. If I want to see cheerfulness in my children, I need to pray for it in their lives, then practice it in mine! Cheerfulness is sometimes a struggle - especially when you don't feel good - it's easy to be whiny! I have noticed that my children are a perfect reflection of me - scary, isn't it?!
I have also noticed that on the days when I go through my quiet time "with a lick and a promise" that those are the hardest days to get through! I recently observed one of my students, and as I was thinking about it, the Lord reminded me to pray - pray for the exact areas in that student's life that need improvement - and keep on praying until the Lord answers!
In our family, we recently started putting Psalm 119:164 into practice. "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments." One of my favorite movies is "Pollyanna." I recently read the two books that the movie came from....and we laugh about Pollyanna's "everlasting gladness," when really we can take a lesson from her. Her "Glad Game" really was just another way of looking for things to be thankful for...and when we are thankful, we are glad!
I pray that you have a wonderfully glad and thankful day today!
The Lord has been encouraging me to be specific in my prayers. There are certain character qualities I want to be evident in the lives of my children, but if I don't pray for those things specifically, how will they be there? Then the thought comes to mind, that the very things I want for my children must be evident in my life first - whew!
So how exactly should I be praying for others? Find out their needs and pray for that area exactly. If I want to see cheerfulness in my children, I need to pray for it in their lives, then practice it in mine! Cheerfulness is sometimes a struggle - especially when you don't feel good - it's easy to be whiny! I have noticed that my children are a perfect reflection of me - scary, isn't it?!
I have also noticed that on the days when I go through my quiet time "with a lick and a promise" that those are the hardest days to get through! I recently observed one of my students, and as I was thinking about it, the Lord reminded me to pray - pray for the exact areas in that student's life that need improvement - and keep on praying until the Lord answers!
In our family, we recently started putting Psalm 119:164 into practice. "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments." One of my favorite movies is "Pollyanna." I recently read the two books that the movie came from....and we laugh about Pollyanna's "everlasting gladness," when really we can take a lesson from her. Her "Glad Game" really was just another way of looking for things to be thankful for...and when we are thankful, we are glad!
I pray that you have a wonderfully glad and thankful day today!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Have you ever thought...?
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| "My Jungle" Matt's loving name for all my plants! |
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| Part 1 of "My Jungle" |
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| Part 2 of "My Jungle" |
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| My Market Shopping Cart |
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| Welcome to "My Jungle" |
Last night in church, I got to pray with one of the ladies during prayer time. God gave me a beautiful glimpse of what Heaven will be like someday with all the different languages of all the saved people singing praises and worshipping our wonderful Saviour. It brought tears to my eyes as I listened to this dear sister in Christ pray. Have you ever thought how beautiful it is to hear someone pray in their own language? (I have to tell you though, I did miss part of her prayer because I was thinking about the beauty of praying in another language!) I was telling Matt last night how blessed I have been to experience the beauty of hearing and seeing people pray in another language. I have been blessed to hear (and understand) people praying in Cebuano, Sign Language, and now in Spanish! One of my Deaf friends came by yesterday for a time of sharing and praying. That was before church. After church, as I was thinking about the beauty of prayer, the Lord brought a picture to my mind...a picture of my dear friend pouring her heart out to God in sign language!
Have you ever thought....who is going to have to do all the dishes after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Now you know what I think about while I'm washing my dishes at 10 o'clock at night! I'll admit, doing dishes has never been one of my favorite things - unless it is someone else's dishes - is anyone else like that??? I have Philippians 4:8-9 in English and Spanish posted on the wall above my sink - I don't know if thinking about who's going to do all the dishes at the Marriage Supper fits into any of the things mentioned in the list of things I'm supposed to be thinking about or not, but.....I couldn't help wondering, "Who IS going to have to wash all those dishes at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?"
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
A Present for Jesus
Over the last few months, we have talked to her about salvation in a more personal way. Although she was understanding all we were telling her, when I would ask her if she wanted to ask Jesus into her heart, she would say, "I'm not ready for that yet, Mom." I would then ask her if she would tell me when she WAS ready, and she would promise me that she would.
Recently, in our Family Bible Time, Matt has been teaching us about when Jesus was born. This past week, we have been busy making Christmas ornaments from salt dough. We have given many of them away. We have also been talking about what each of us could give Jesus for His birthday this year. The other night Martha said, "I could give Him my heart!" We were thrilled to hear her answer that way, but we thought perhaps she was simply repeating one of the suggestions that Daddy had made about what to give Jesus. We have also been listening to "Christmas Carol" by Patch the Pirate. We have been listening to a little bit of it every night after supper. Last night, "Jamie" (the orphan girl) got a new family and got saved!
Her prayer (actually prayed in three parts) went like this: Martha: "Dear Jesus, I'm sorry for my sins. Amen." (Mommy: "Did you ask Jesus to forgive you?") Martha: "Dear Jesus, please forgive me for my sins. Amen." (Mommy: "Did you ask Jesus to come into your heart?") Martha: "Dear Jesus, please come live in my heart. Amen."I wish you could have seen the glow on her face. She wanted to hug everything! Now she is learning to not be ashamed or afraid to tell people that she asked Jesus into her heart. After we had called and she told Grandpa, and we had tried to call Pappy, the next person Martha wanted to tell was "Tio Frank." How I wish you could see right now, the beautiful moment that is now forever treasured in my heart and mind - the moment when she signed to Tio Frank that she had just gotten saved!
Her face (if it was possible) lit up even more when I explained that now her name in written in The Book of Life and can never be erased! What a beautiful and precious Christmas gift Martha and our entire family has received this year! And I know it is even more beautiful and precious to our Saviour!
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