That was a big question for this Momma who hadn't yet had coffee. Or a shower. Or much time to think as he kept firing the questions.
I'm gonna be mad if the world ends before I get my XBox, he continued.
Why did God create Satan? Why isn't Satan in Heaven? How many angels went with Satan? Is he is Hell? Why did Satan want to be like God? If God is everywhere why can't I see Him? Is Hell real? How come we never go to Chuck E.Cheese's? Who else is going to Hell? What's Heaven like? Will we get to play in heaven? Will Grandma be old in Heaven? Am I going to Heaven?
Now, I'm answering his questions as fast as I can and I'm remembering back to VBS last summer when he and a lot of other kids went forward to be saved. We've watched several of those kids be baptised and tell others about their decisions, but so far neither of my boys have had too much to say since that night. And I'm remembering a lot of recent conversations in the car about God- like why does he make the storms that are scary and why on earth does He let people die.
But the question that got my heart racing the most, was when he asked me if he was going to heaven because I can never assume to know the answer to that for anyone. So I asked him, "have you asked Jesus to be your Savior- to forgive your sins"? He said no. I asked him if he wanted to. He said yes. I told him he could talk to God anywhere, anytime, even driving down the road in a car. (I realize this goes against what some believe is appropriate praying-I used to think that too and the rules kept me defeated and depressed because I couldn't keep them all, so if that's you- take God out of the box and grab hold to the freedom and joy of the relationship, or you might miss the good stuff like the joy of the Lord) Rant over.
I asked him if wanted to pray now and he said yes. He asked if I would help him.
What do you think I said? uh YES!
And I did. The ride on Route 419 between Chuck E. Cheese's and the left turn onto Apperson Drive will never be the same. I don't know if he closed his eyes, in honesty I don't remember driving anymore just leading my child in prayer and hearing that sweet voice talk to God, in the way an 8 year does. Childlike faith- how sweet the sound.
The Bible talks about the countenance of our faces. Check this out. I saw his change before my eyes.
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| Isaiah after praying in the car, June 9, 2014 |
He's been grinning ear to ear today. He told his counselor right away. He called his Daddy & Shayne. He had to Face Time Aunt Nae before he could go in at daycare. He's been asking all day long- "who can I tell that I asked Jesus to be my Savior today?"
More than just the ambulance driver in his play today, Coach Tim Shoemaker had to be called- reinforcing what we knew, that this man of God taught him more than just how to shoot and block in a basketball game. And how cool of God, that Pastor Jake and Mary Beth, his children's pastor at Villa Heights had already planned to visit our family this afternoon. It was kind of fun when he made Pastor Jake guess what he did today- "I......asked........G-E.... Jesus to be my Savior" while munching down the popcorn that is "good like God".
I don't know if he yet fully comprehends all that the free gift of salvation is. I'm still learning myself how to trust and obey so I expect he will have a lot more questions. And if he wants to pray again, that will be okay too- because as long as he is searching, I'll keep pointing him to the cross.
The one where Jesus died-His death- the shedding of His blood alone is the payment for the great price of our sin. Romans tells us the wages of sin is death.
There's nothing he can do, except believe. And that oh-so-precious blood covers not just our sin- but our hurts and our fears and our pasts and our failures.
Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.
Happy Monday y'all, it is possible!
