Just Like Me!

This boy. This boy is becoming a little man right before my very eyes. This growing up thing has totally taken me by surprise. I know, that sounds silly. I should totally expect that he is going to think and do and grow and grow and grow. However, it never ceases to amaze me. I am totally amazed by how much he looks just like me, but acts just like his daddy. Truth be told, this is something that I have wished for all of my children.

Their daddy is the most amazing human being alive today. (totally not a biased opinion;)) He is obviously an amazing husband and father. He is honest and sincere. He is loyal and trustworthy. He is kind and compassionate. He is caring and gracious. He is hardworking. He is a natural leader. He loves the Lord better than anyone I have ever known. He (by the Lord's grace) has his eyes set on the Kingdom of Heaven. It is his hearts desire for the nations to see and to know the Lord. He works tirelessly for our family and for these things. Al shared his testimony at church on Sunday night. His story begans when he was 5 (5?!?!) that really isn't all that amazing to some, as that was the age that several of my friends became Christians as well. But, to someone like me, who, had to put grace to the test (so I thought) a 5 year old Christian is an amazing thing. I have hoped that my children's stories will be more like their daddy's and less like mine.

I have prayed and prayed that ST would come to know the Lord early in His life. As a matter of fact, after I became a Believer (in college), I began to pray that my children would come to know the Lord at an early age. Oh, how His grace is sufficient for me, and for my children. ST has had a series of conversations with us about asking Jesus into his heart. Over time he has asked us questions like, "How does someone KNOW that they are a Christian?" He asked us "What does a Christian act like? How is that different than what I act like?" "Whenever Jesus comes into your heart, what changes?" He has a five year old understanding of sin. (So do I.) He, on more than one occassion, has felt a desire to leave the life of sin and death behind. And, last night with deepest sincerity, he was obviously thinking about these things. He came in and asked to talk to Al and I. He had decided, on his own, that it was time to give his life to the Lord.

Now, you may wonder why I am blogging about this. Other than the fact that there is no greater joy that I can think of. The reason is two-fold:

#1- this is my blog and that is what I want to talk about (just kidding)

#2- I wanted to share this book with ya'll. Does anyone know this book? Now, I certianly don't believe that this book has any special powers, however, right there (pg. 30- God is our Father) is the lesson in which my husband was reading with Papa and Granna when he asked Jesus into his heart. It now has a new date and name written in it on the lesson on the Holy Spirit pg. 34. I think the book is pretty cool. Not just because of the significance of it, but because it is great for really young children.

Here is what the back says:

Family Devotions for parents with young children. Especailly designed to meet the needs and excite the hearts of the very young. Each lesson is short, less than 5 minutes, simple, only one idea, repeated daily, is introduced each week, and meaningful, Christian doctrine and ethics are emphasized throughout the book.

Devotions include a scripute verse, brief story, simple q&a, family discussion and prayer.

The title is Special Times With God it is written by David and Naomi Shibley. Anyway, I wanted to share this with those of you who are interested.

I asked Al what we do next. He said for us to look for signs of sincerity and for opportunities to help him grow. Here's where my heart just smiles. Al caught ST asking Taye and Mam if they wanted to ask Jesus in their hearts. He said "Jesus is living in my heart now, don't you want him to live in your heart too? See, Jesus can live in your heart, too. JUST LIKE ME." There is a lot to learn from this. We are all just one beggar telling the other beggars where to find bread.