Joshua picked a play bath tonight. In case you don’t speak the same childtalk we do, that usually means bubbles and a few toys for a longer period of soaking. He asked for the whole bucket of bath toys. That’s a lot of toys and my back does not love to bend over the tub while I pick them all out.
“Do you promise me that after your bath you’ll put them all back?”
“Yes.”
Forty-five minutes later, he plucked them all out, one at a time, shook the water off, and placed them in the bin.
“Thank you.” I toweled off his head. “You’re a man of honor. Do you know why?”
He shook his head under the towel.
“Because you made me a promise and then did what you said. That makes you a promise keeper.”
He peeked out. “I’m trying to do right things because I want the Spirit of God in my heart.”
“Do you know that you don’t get the Holy Spirit in your heart by doing good things?”
“What do I do then?”
I wrapped the towel around his shoulders. “You ask Him to come in.”
“What do I say?”
I swooped him up and took him to the office so Daddy could be a part of the momentous occasion. There, he prayed a prayer somewhat along these lines.
“I love you, God. I love you, Jesus. I know that Jesus is Your Son, God. And that he died to save me. Please come into my heart and stay with me always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
He ran to tell his sister. Downstairs to tell G’ma and G’pa. Called Gigi and Papa Gigo to tell them. We toasted him with sparkling cider and each said something we loved about his decision.
Now, I know that some of you are wondering about the validity of his conversion. He’s only 5 1/2, you think. I happened to ask Jesus to come into my heart just before age 4, and I testify to the realness of that choice. But I agree with you. He doesn’t know what he’s in for. He has no idea of the hardships he might face, the temptations he will struggle with–kind of like how a newly-wed has no real clue of how marriage really is. Without forming the words, I asked the Lord to show me this was real for Joshua.
My husband and I sat down on the bed to do our devotion after the kids were in bed. Our reading was Joshua 1:1-9. Guess what? We named our son because of this passage. His life verse is the last one in that section:
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever your go.”
And the angels are still dancing around the throne, and grinning from ear to ear. : )
This is precious! Very special. Thanks for capturing the moment to share with us. Bask in it!
love ya,
donna
I’m so thankful for Joshua’s decision, and having seen the look on his face when he told me and his Papa about it, I know it’s real. I pray he will always follow the Lord and be a man of Godly courage and honor his whole life.
~Mom
I am so happy that Joshua has made this big decision. Please tell him that Aunt Holly and Uncle Mark are very proud of him. (This is the second response that I have written. I lost the first one because the computer is having issues remembering what I had for a password.) So this will be short. Next time I call remind me to tell you how Johnathan loves going to Church, it is his favorite place.:):):):):)
Love H
We are so happy that we get to see Joshua forever! How blessed we are…another step closer to being our son-in-law!
May this be the first step in a amazing walk with our Lord.
Love, Ambria & Tygh
Awesome! If Samuel, Hannah’s son, could hear the voice of God as a boy, so can your Joshua. So cool.
I am really enjoying your blog. I love your down to earth style.
You were so wise to seize this opportunity with your son. Blessings to the little guy as he begins his faith journey!
ok, tears are streaming down my face! That is incredible! What a privilege you had in being a part of that. Thank you for your example in how you looked for the opportunity to pray with him. I realized when reading this that I just assume my kids understand that decision (by osmosis of living in our house?), and that’s not the case- I need to pursue this decision with and for them. Thanks for sharing this special event in your sweet son’s life!