"Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it" and He took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10: 13-16
Three down and one to go! I think most know by now but Samantha AND Mark (Hannah's sister and brother) prayed to ask Jesus into their lives at VBS a few weeks ago. Krista prayed about a year ago. I can not even begin to express how beyond happy I am that these little ones that we love so very much will be in heaven with us one day. It is so much more than that though, we talked a lot about how this decision is not just about heaven but also about just a new life. A life filled with joy and hope, even in your darkest of times, most difficult of struggles. I don't know what the future holds for them or us but I am not ignorant to the fact that one day things will change and we won't see them each week or have them in our house to see what our family is all about. So, this is just great to know that they can start learning how to talk with Jesus about anything and everything go to Him with their problems. Samantha had been asking me questions for a while, wondering various things. I was very careful to answer her questions in a way that would not push her b/c I wanted to be sure that the decsion was 100% wholeheartedly of her own doing.
Krista called on Thurs to talk with me some about Jesus and she had questions about talking with Him and being a good example. She said she wants to tell all her friends about Him and that she has been reading the Bible we gave her. She explained to me that you don't have to go all over the world or be an adult to be a missionary b/c you can tell people in your neighborhood just as good as those far away and since she STILL hasn't turned old enough to drive (didn't tell her she has loooong way to go!) she has decided to be a missionary in her neighborhood. That is what it is all about, right? Seriously this is why I LOVE working with kids, I learn so much from them and they keep me real. Some of the questions she asked me really made me think. I love that she felt comfortable enough to call me and ask me. I am just thanking God for that sweet phone call. Hope we have many more like it.
The verse I included from the book of Mark has always held a special place in my heart. In the academic world I see so many beyond brilliant people who are amazing scientists and wow me constantly with their knowledge but sadly their smarts get in their way of the true meaning of life. Faith is actually too simple for them. The think they can know more than God. The fact that we can pray and ask the one and only Jesus Christ to actually have a personal relationship with us, that He would even care to know the intimate details of our every day lives is just beyond them. This is why He says come to me as a child, so that all our thinking doesn't get in the way. He tells us "lean not unto your own understanding" (Proverbs 3:5) and just have faith him him. FAITH. Faith means "belief or trust in a person or thing that is not based on proof". This is why in His word Jesus says we only need the faith the size of a mustard seed to move mountains (problems in our lives, overcome our struggles) (Matthew 17:20-21) beacuse once you take that tiny step of faith and ask Him to come into your life, things change and you finally have a peace that beats anything I felt before I knew my Jesus that's for sure. I know there are plenty of stories of people coming to Jesus as adults and on their deathbeds and although it is still a wonderful thing, it is sad in a way. They missed out on a lifetime of getting to know Him and just enjoying Him and His love for them. So many think that being a Christian means you can't have any fun... um NOT SO! Life is ubelievably more full and abundant and way more fun now than it ever was before. When I am down and think I can't continue on with whatever is going on, I just go to Jesus spend a little time with Him and He fills me back up and I am totally 100% renewed. This is why I am just sooo happy about Krista, Samantha, and Mark. They have their whole lives in front of them and hopefully they will decide to do great things with their lives, things that will honor God and make a this world a better place, because of their own decisions to trust Him with their lives. I know they will struggle, but if they fall away and grow distant in their relationship with God at some point they can hold on to the fact that He is always there, waiting for them to choose to talk with and follow Him.
Still hoping my little Banana will choose to make this decision one day too. I couldn't think of anything we could do together that would make me happier than praying that prayer with her. It is one of my deepest desires and has been since we were matched.
What can I say, I love these kiddos!!! They may make me get some gray hairs but they are so totally worth every one.
