No Greater Joy

March 13, 2011 will be etched into our minds forever. The events of the day were so precious. We came home from worship on Sunday and were playing outside in the front yard. Annabelle had a headband on and Samuel was picking flowers and putting them in it. It was a gorgeous spring afternoon and we were giddy with the anticipation of what this new season held.

Samuel had been telling me lately that he was ready to ask Jesus into his heart. After discussing it with Andy, we decided that after church service that day we would sit down and talk to him about it.

Joseph finished his lunch first and went into the back yard to play while we sat at the kitchen table. Andy walked through the gospel story and told him why it's necessary and what it would be like for him to make that commitment to Christ. He told Samuel that if he wanted to do that someday and wanted us to be there with him, we would do that. He immediately said "I want to do it right now!" So, Andy reassured him that he didn't have to right then and tried to give him a way out, but Samuel said "I WANT TO DO IT RIGHT NOW!"

Andy just smiled huge. And said he totally understood. Since, that is what Andy said to the person who walked him through the gospel more than 9 years ago!

After he got down from the table, he took a picture with me and immediately ran outside to tell Joseph and then yelled over the fence to our not yet believing neighbor telling her that he is now a christian because he just asked Jesus to come into his heart and forgive him of his sins.

He had been a christian all of 2 minutes and he was already spreading the good news! I love it!!!

I gave him a 'christian necklace' as he calls it :)

Not a person we interact with walks away without hearing about how he now has Jesus in his heart.

" I asked Jesus into my heart. "
" I'm a christian! "
" I have Jesus in my heart. "
" I became a christian on Sunday! "

And my favorite:

" Sunday is a great day to become a christian! "

Our hearts are rejoicing along with God and the angels in heaven. Our biggest prayer for Samuel has already been answered. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the grace that God has poured out on him. God has given Samuel the understanding of Himself at such an early age. We are praying that he will walk with the Lord all the days of his life!

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Mark 10:15

Even Samuel at the young age of almost 5 is able to understand his sinful nature and that he can do NOTHING to earn his way into heaven. He is a sinner, and can only be saved by grace.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Humans would like to think we're pretty good people and try and put off the impression that we're good-to-go just on our own. But God knows better. He knows our hearts.

Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Psalm 53:3

As adults we can rearrange our external circumstances so strategically that we can almost convince ourselves that we are not sinners. As a child, that is impossible! They are being trained and corrected moment by moment and the error of their ways are always before them.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 2 Corinthians 11:30

This past month, we have been so challenged by these thoughts. That a child at the age of 4 can have all the knowledge that is needed to know what to do in order to make his relationship with his Maker right. We are confident in the transformation in his heart and have already seen fruit in his life. Never having a child come to faith before, this has been such a surreal experience.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

We can't help but praise! Seeing the gospel lived out and lives being transformed is nothing short of a miracle. To know that we are saved through nothing of our own doing and ushered into the kingdom of heaven for eternity makes us want to live our lives differently. We want to live as though we have been changed, because we have! The creator of the universe dwells within us and we want to live like he does!

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4