Inviting Jesus In

This week, Nathan is attending his second VBS of the summer at a church that is very close to our house. He has a few buddies in his small group from school with him, so he has been enjoying himself immensely.

Yesterday, June 21st, Nathan got in the car and told me, "Mom, I prayed for Jesus to come into my heart. And He did! Do you know how I know? My heart feels brand new."

Nathan has been very tender toward Jesus since he was little. His prayers have become more and more earnest and sincere over the last year. He has told me many times that he wants Jesus in his heart.

I knew, as his momma, that there was fertile soil in his heart.

Of course, I teared up and I told him that I was so happy! What a wonderful and exciting day this was! "Do you know what, Nathan?" I said, "When Jesus is in your heart, He doesn't leave your heart the same. He changes you, if you let him."

Nathan said, "I don't want to be the old way, Mom. I want to have a new self."

I'm so, so proud of my little boy. And more than that: I'm so, so grateful to the Lord for hearing my cry and answering my prayer.

Yesterday afternoon and evening, I allowed myself to get all worked up and agitated and upset. When I finally crawled in bed at 10:30, I thought, "Well, I'm just going to tell God how I feel." And I did. I told Him all of my frustrations and everything that was putting anger in my heart.

And do you know what God put on my heart?

Do not forget that the greatest prayer as a parent you've ever prayed over Nathan James was answered today.

I slapped myself on my forehead. How quickly we forget sometimes, hm?

I have prayed that each one of my sons would be a Christ follower--in word and in deed. What more could you want as a parent? Success, money, standing in the community for your child? Those things pale in comparison to eternity.