Such a Gift

Something amazing happened on Monday.  

Tracey asked Jesus into her heart.

I have been trying to make a point to read more Bible stories with the kids -- especially the staples I want them to know as best as a child can.  So David and Goliath, Daniel and the Lion's Den,  Noah's Arc, and the Christmas story... but I realized the other day that I've never read them the story of Moses or many stories about the miracles that Jesus performed.

So Monday I sat down on our family room floor in the afternoon and started reading about the story of baby Moses -- how Pharaoh ordered all the baby boys to be killed but Moses' mother hid him, and then put him in a basket down the river.  That led to talking about how God saved Moses because God had a plan for his life.

Then, Tracey was really excited to learn about the plan God had for Moses' life -- so we read about the Burning Bush (which she called the Fire Plant).  Then we talked about Moses' message to Pharaoh -- "Let my people go!"  And her Sunday school has been singing the song "Pharaoh, Pharaoh" lately so we were able to build on those lyrics a little.

Then we talked about how Pharaoh disobeyed God and wouldn't let the Hebrews go and so there were consequences.  We talked about that Pharaoh said, "No" to God 10 times and there were 10 punishments for disobeying God.

By the time we talked about the last and worst punishment when God killed the oldest child in every family, Tracey's eyes were so wide and she said, "What happened next?"

Then we read about the Hebrews' leaving Egypt and Pharaoh chasing them and the parting of the Red Sea.

She was enthralled by the stories... and the only reason we had to stop was because the twins and Lee Lee were requiring more of my attention.

As we had dinner a little later, she was still talking about Moses.  She mentioned that she didn't like the sad parts of the story... but that its going to be okay to die someday when she's really old because she'll see Jesus.

That's what opened the door to asking her if she has invited Jesus into her heart.  She said she knew he lived in her heart... but when we talked about it she realized she hadn't specifically asked him.  So she and I prayed together and she asked Jesus into her heart.

Then we called Grammie and Memaw and Daddy to tell them the great news!

Then, later that night, she kept talking about Moses and how he was saved.  I reminded her that God had a plan for Moses' life.

She thought about that... then looked at me so intensely and asked, "Does God have a plan for my life?"

It was such a beautiful night and such a gift to experience with my daughter.

As the night when on and Howard and Caroline realized what a big deal this was, they each said they wanted Jesus in their hearts, and I prayed with each of them.  I certainly hope they had an understand of what they were asking... but I have an assurance that Tracey is truly understanding the magnitude of what she has asked.

Thank you, God for this child, and for writing Your name on her heart and recording her name in the book of life!