Even better than a soccer goal!

To my little boy,

Just 4 weeks ago, you went to school for the very 1st time in your life. My heart broke at losing you (for ½ a day!) and it soared with the pride of watching you grow up. The time I had with you, my oldest one, went by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday I cradled you in my arms and looked deep into your happy eyes.

Just 4 weeks ago you seemed like such a tiny guy. I couldn’t imagine you going to a big school.

In just 4 weeks you have astounded me with all you have learned both emotionally and mentally. You have learned ABC’s, 123’s, how to write your name, Bible stories, how to walk in a line, make friends, and 4 Bible verses- the 1st being Genesis 1:1. You were looking around at creation one day when you said to me “I wonder how God made all this stuff!” and I foolishly replied “I am not sure Jackson! It’s pretty incredible though, isn’t it?”
You looked at me between bites full of lunch and said matter of factly “Mrs. Marshall said He just SPOKE IT!”
Oh, I didn’t know I could give the actual answer of God speaking creation into being. Oh Mama of little faith!
“Yes, Jackson, that’s right – He just SPOKE it!”

Over the last 4 weeks we have had many conversations about God and who He is. Heaven, angels, creation, how God can be everywhere at one time, and how He is in each of our hearts. You have been asking me over the weeks “Why isn’t so and so (i.e. Cinderella’s stepmother or other fictional characters) a nice person?” and I’ve been saying “Maybe they don’t have Jesus in their heart Buddy… He helps us to be nice and kind to others.”

Last night, over pasta dinner, you specifically asked me “I wonder WHY she doesn’t have Jesus in her heart?”

I said “Well some times some people don’t want to have Jesus in their heart.”

“But Jesus is in EVERYONES heart!” you replied.

“Jesus is only in our heart if we ASK him to come into our heart. He wants to be in everyone’s heart, but we have to ask him” I said.

“But I don’t know how to do that.”

“I can help you if you ever want to do it” I said as I took another bite.

“I do want to do it… but I don’t know what to say” you said with absolute sincerity.

“OK, well I can pray and you can repeat after me.”

“Can you just pray for me?” you said.

“No Buddy, you have to ask Jesus yourself.”

“Ok, but can you help me? I am a little scared” you said quietly.

“Of course I can help you! But you don’t ever have to be afraid! Jesus loves you so very much and loves to listen to you talk to Him. He is so happy that you want Him to be in your heart! Let’s hold hands!” I said, my heart going wild with excitement. I moved my chair right next to yours and held your cute little hand as you literally repeated after me the sinner’s prayer. It was so amazing and I fought so hard to hold back my tears and steady the quiver in my voice. I felt the Holy Spirit heavy in the room.

When we were done I gave you the biggest hug and told you I was proud of you and asked you if you were excited. You told me with a big smile that you were, but that Jesus had been in YOUR heart for a long time. We talked about how the Bible says that the angels sing and rejoice when we give our life to Christ and you contemplated this for a good while.

Unfortunately, daddy wasn’t home from work yet, we called and you told him on the phone. You got tears in your beautiful green eyes and almost started crying when you told him – like the tears and crying that the Holy Spirit evokes in us. It was really really AMAZING.

This absolutely tops the pride I felt when you shot your very 1st soccer goal on Saturday and the pride and amazement I felt when I see the amazing way you are already writing your seven letter name. You have always been an incredible little boy and you are continuing to amaze me and teach me something new every day.

God was so good to give you to me, my baby boy, after three years of waiting and longing for a baby and now, I am now beaming with even more pride as I say “He is yours and YOU ARE HIS!”

With the angels, daddy and I rejoice!
Love,
Mama