I'll share a quick blessing! I was sitting on the front pew with my son during the singing Sunday morning. He leaned in to ask me where he could sit during the sermon. I was scheduled to preach the morning service, and he wanted to sit with someone during the sermon.
I told him that he could either sit with my parents who were in town visiting, or he could choose to sit with his grandparents. Both places would be good quiet spots where he'd be encouraged to pay attention and sit quietly. Well, he was upset with himself because he couldn't decide. He had two good choices and was faced with making a tough decision for a 6-year-old. For a minute I thought about making the choice for him, but on second thought I decided maybe this would be a good opportunity to give him a choice. I didn't decide for him. It would be good for him to work through a tough decision for himself.
The next song we sang was How Great the Father's Love for Us in our praise binders. It's one of my favorite praise songs. It was the first praise song our church sang years ago when we began introducing praise music into the service.
As we were singing, I happened to glance over at him. Big tears were streaming down both his cheeks. I asked him what was wrong. Without responding to my question, he quickly got up, crawled into my lap, and buried his face into my shoulder. I held him, gently rubbed his back, and kept on singing for a few moments. After a few moments went by I quietly whispered in his ear and asked him if he was alright. He said no. Then I asked him if he was sad about trying to choose where to sit. He leaned back, looked at me, and replied "I'm sad that Jesus had to die on the cross."
Wow! I was blown away. I was so glad to hear him express what was in his tender heart. I'm glad his thoughts are turned toward Jesus and thinking about the Cross. Maybe God is beginning to draw him as he listens to the gospel story in our daily Bible readings. I know he's always particularly interested in the Cross and Jesus. I love his questions and I can almost see him thinking about it all, wondering what it means to him personally.
In the few moments I had left I assured him that Jesus wanted to die on the cross for our sins. I told him that if Jesus didn't die on the cross then we couldn't be saved and know Him. That seemed to reassure him. It reminded me that God will use His Word to open our hearts at the strangest of moments. And when it happens it's intimate, personal, and meaningful. What a great and powerful God we serve. I'm thankful He takes time to speak to us as individuals. I'm grateful He is speaking in the hearts of my children.
Matthew 18:2-4 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
I told him that he could either sit with my parents who were in town visiting, or he could choose to sit with his grandparents. Both places would be good quiet spots where he'd be encouraged to pay attention and sit quietly. Well, he was upset with himself because he couldn't decide. He had two good choices and was faced with making a tough decision for a 6-year-old. For a minute I thought about making the choice for him, but on second thought I decided maybe this would be a good opportunity to give him a choice. I didn't decide for him. It would be good for him to work through a tough decision for himself.
The next song we sang was How Great the Father's Love for Us in our praise binders. It's one of my favorite praise songs. It was the first praise song our church sang years ago when we began introducing praise music into the service.
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom.
As we were singing, I happened to glance over at him. Big tears were streaming down both his cheeks. I asked him what was wrong. Without responding to my question, he quickly got up, crawled into my lap, and buried his face into my shoulder. I held him, gently rubbed his back, and kept on singing for a few moments. After a few moments went by I quietly whispered in his ear and asked him if he was alright. He said no. Then I asked him if he was sad about trying to choose where to sit. He leaned back, looked at me, and replied "I'm sad that Jesus had to die on the cross."
Wow! I was blown away. I was so glad to hear him express what was in his tender heart. I'm glad his thoughts are turned toward Jesus and thinking about the Cross. Maybe God is beginning to draw him as he listens to the gospel story in our daily Bible readings. I know he's always particularly interested in the Cross and Jesus. I love his questions and I can almost see him thinking about it all, wondering what it means to him personally.
In the few moments I had left I assured him that Jesus wanted to die on the cross for our sins. I told him that if Jesus didn't die on the cross then we couldn't be saved and know Him. That seemed to reassure him. It reminded me that God will use His Word to open our hearts at the strangest of moments. And when it happens it's intimate, personal, and meaningful. What a great and powerful God we serve. I'm thankful He takes time to speak to us as individuals. I'm grateful He is speaking in the hearts of my children.
Matthew 18:2-4 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
