Suffer the Little Children

Very special days in life are few and far between, but something that happened tonight made today one of those kind of days for me.

I was washing the dinner dishes and had Pearl (5) and Lori (4) cleaning their rooms, Lori came out and asked me if Pearl was going to Heaven. I answered, "Yes baby, Pearl asked Jesus to forgive her of her sins so she will get to go to Heaven." Then Lori said, "Am I going to Heaven?" I asked her if she had ever asked Jesus to forgive her of her sins, and she said no. As soon as she answered me, big tears welled up in her beautiful blue eyes and she said that she didn't want to go to Hell. Well, I took that as a great big invitation to share the awesomenessof Jesus Christ with her, so I took her in my arms and told her that she didn't have to go to Hell. I read John 3:16 to her and explained that everybody does bad things therefore everybody deserves to go to Hell, but God loved us so much that He sent His perfect Son to grow up on earth and die on a cross for our sins. I told her that all we have to do is believe that Jesus died on the cross and after 3 days rose from the dead, then we need to ask God to forgive us of the things that we do that disobeyes His rules. I asked her if she believed that and she said yes, then we prayed a prayer and my littlest girl got SAVED! Thank you Jesus!!

I used to be really concerned about young children making these huge life decisions, but really if they understand what they are doing, what better time is there?

Even the Bible tells us:

(16) But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. (17) Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. LUKE 18:16-17

(11) Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. PROVERBS 20:11

Love the Lord Your God!

Today, I am feeling burdened for my children. I look at the world that they have to grow up in and everything that they will have to face, and it terrifies me. There is no way that they will make it through this life without some major heartbreak and scars with out the help and guidance of God Almighty. I know that Satan understands this fact very well, and all he wants is to see my children do anything but follow God. This is why I believe that Satan sits back and laughs when he sees how busy we are as a family. There is hardly a moment that hasn't been planned with some sort of activity or another. Before we know it, it's bedtime and my children have spent that day being taught to rush around doing mostly unnecessary things, but nothing about God. Don't misunderstand me, activities and fun are wonderful things, I just think that we need to slow down and take time to teach our kids that God needs to be the center of ALL things in their lives. Sammy and I have decided to take a one hour break out of everyday and teach our kids to sit in the quiet and focus on God. They are still pretty young so we are going to start with a family devotion, then let them choose activities that allow them to focus on the Lord (coloring a Bible picture, praying for family, listening to Christian music, and reading the Bible). Please pray for us, because I am sure that Satan will fight this tooth and nail. You see he wants my kids, but he's going to have to go through me first!

5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Throw it Away!

On the way home from school last week, Eddie, Pearl, and I were catching up on how each others day had been when Eddie told me that he was being picked on at school by a classmate. Of course I automatically wanted to find out what was said, and maybe even give him some pointers on how to come up with some mean remarks to say back the next time it happened. Well, my little boy taught me an important lesson that day. He showed me that in the area of not seeking revenge he may be a bit more mature than me, because when I demanded to know what was said his reply was, "I don't remember, when people say stuff that I don't like I just throw it away!"

Wow, as I look back now to some of the things that has hurt my feelings that I still like to dwell on, I feel a little foolish.

In Romans 12:17 - 21 it says...

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Lord, please help me to remember to empty the trash out of my life each day. Help me to respond with grace even when my feelings are hurt. Help me to let go of the grudges that I carry, and let you take care of me. Thank you Lord! Amen.