From the moment Justin and I found out we would be parents, we began to pray that God would save our children at a young age. The Lord graciously answered our prayer for our older daughter Sadie a couple of years ago, and it has been a joy to watch her grow in her faith. Several months ago, our younger daughter Jade began to ask questions about salvation and let us know that she had prayed to receive Christ as her Lord and Savior (almost exactly a year after I wrote about praying "Hosanna" over her). Justin walked her through the book of 1 John during bedtime devotionals, and we took some time to observe her life to see if there were any noticeable differences. She assured us last week that she was ready to follow Jesus. It was a huge blessing to watch her make a public profession of faith at church on Sunday, and we look forward to her baptism in the coming weeks. We cannot wait to see what the Lord will do with her life.
I entered Jade’s room a few days ago to get something and found a note on her desk that made me pause and smile. It was short and simple: “I am a Christian. Yay!” A flood of emotions washed over me as I thanked God for the gift of her salvation and rejoiced over the gift of my own salvation. For those of us who are believers, how many times do we pause to remember and rejoice? The simplicity of my child’s words was monumental. She is so excited to be a Christian. That excitement and joy should be a part of every believer’s life - new believers and seasoned believers. We are called to remember and rejoice. David beautifully expounds upon this call in the following verses:
"But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you" (Psalm 5:11).
"But I have trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.
I will sing to the LORD,
because he has dealt bountifully with me" (Psalm 13:5-6).
Even when trials, troubles, and temptations enter our lives, we can remember and rejoice. A dear friend recently told me that "wild feelings respond best to simple realities." When your mind and heart are all over the place and greatly troubled, remember your salvation and rejoice. Celebrate along with my 7-year-old when she says, "I am a Christian. Yay!" If you are a believer, God has dealt bountifully with you. Remember and rejoice.
Comments