Prepared for Eternity...

In my finite mind, that's hard to grasp. And yet, today I can honestly say that Sarah and Kristina are now prepared for eternity.

Several weeks ago, my friend, Tracy, sent our children a book, Good and Evil, by Michael Pearl. It is God's story, the story of God and man, from Genesis to Revelation written in comic book form. I have been reading it aloud to my children, a little bit each day. They beg for me to read more, and in between our readings together, they sit alone or in pairs and read it over again and discuss parts of it together. I have been taught the Bible since I was a young child, but it is still amazing to read it as one long, flowing story of God's judgement and mercy.

As a result of this book and its many references to man's sin and God's salvation, Sarah came to me one night at bed time and said, "Mommy, I want to get saved." When I asked her why, she answered, "Because I want to go to heaven." That night, Sarah prayed and told God that she knew she was a sinner and that she deserved to go to hell, but that she believed that Jesus had died for her and paid for her sin. She wanted God to forgive her and come into her heart and take her to heaven when she died. Sarah went to bed with peace in her heart and a smile on her face.

A few days later as we were having Bible time together in the morning, I was talking with the children about knowing for sure that they belong to Jesus. Being saved isn't just copying someone's words to pray a prayer. When a child grows up in a home where Jesus' name is mentioned every day, they memorize His Word as soon as they can talk, and the way of salvation is a story they are all familiar with, it is only natural for them to ask to be saved early on. All of our children prayed and asked Jesus to be their Savior when they were four or five. I, myself, also prayed when I was four years old. Because of this, it is fairly common for a child to wonder as they get older and gain understanding, whether they really were saved or not. I explained to the children that when a person is truly a Christian, their lives will bear the fruits of His Spirit - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith... When Jesus enters in, we become a new creature. Old things are passed away and all things become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Four-year-olds don't have a lot of wicked habits to change, and I know that as a child, I often wondered how I could know that I was different. When I was 13, I remember lying in bed night after night wondering... afraid... what if I wasn't really saved? What if I had just prayed that prayer, but not really understood? One night I had finally had enough and decided to make it a certain thing. I knew I was a sinner and I knew that Jesus was the only way to heaven. That night I believed and confessed and I have never doubted since.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9,10)

As I was relating this to the children, Nina quietly said, "Sometimes I think that..." I let it pass and made a mental note to discuss it with her in private - soon. That evening, Chris had to run over to the church to pick up something. Of course, all of the kids were jumping around him and begging to ride along. Finally, he said, "Rachael and Nina, let's go!" About 15 minutes later, I got a phone call. They had somehow locked themselves out of their vehicle and they needed me to bring the extra key. As I pulled up to the church, Chris took the key and went to his vehicle with Rachael, and Nina climbed into the van with me. As soon as she closed the door, I knew that God had orchestrated the whole thing. When do I ever have an opportunity to talk alone with her? As soon as I brought up the subject, she told me that she remembered praying, but she had been worrying for a long time that she wasn't saved. She wanted someone to explain it better and to help her pray the right words. I explained that there aren't any "right words," only words of belief and confession, but I would help her pray. That night, Kristina also went to bed with peace in her heart and a smile on her face.

Tonight, they were both baptized by Pastor Young in our church baptistry. Baptism is a follow-up to their salvation, not a part of it. It is their first step of obedience to their Heavenly Father, a picture of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, and a way to show others that they are not ashamed of their Savior.

I know that I have been lengthy, but I have tried to be concise in my wording so as not to cause confusion. Accepting Jesus as their Savior is the most important decision my girls will ever make in life. I am so thankful that they know the truth. I explained to them that when they become a child of God, He holds them in His hand, and nothing can take them from Him. What peace that brings!

Being a Christian is so much more than just going to Heaven someday. That is the most important thing when you consider how long eternity is compared to our earthly lives, but God, in His mercy, also gives His children what they need for today. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) He has promised that all things work together for good to them that love Him. (Romans 8:28) He has promised peace and joy and strength and comfort. And so much more... He is our All in all.

Here are my precious girls getting baptized tonight.

Sarah Grace, 5

Kristina Marie, 11

And Aunt Joy and Beka watching...



Praising God for all He has done. Rejoice with us!