Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Heaven Rejoices!

It seemed like any ordinary day, any ordinary afternoon even. Emily arose from her Quiet Time and asked to watch a movie - very ordinary.

She asked to watch Facing the Giants - a recent discovery of hers and one she is loving! I told her we wouldn't be able to watch the whole thing since it is long, but she could watch part of it.

Movie playing, Rachel wandered out sleepy head wild hair everywhere and eyes barely open. We snuggled up together on the couch where I could be with them and fold clothes.

Time to get Samuel up - he came out too - in a sleepy mood for a toddler. And, we lingered and let the movie continue.

I found other things to do nearby and Daddy wasn't home from work yet - I'm not really sure why, but I let them watch the whole thing. By this time, Rachel and Samuel had wandered off to find something else to do - heading outside.

Emily quietly taking everything in ... I hear the end of the movie and go see how she is doing. She looks very thoughtful and melancholy.

"Are you ok?"

"Yes, I just want to be like them."

"You want to play football like them?"

"No, to be good like that."

I sort of silently respond and turn off the movie. She stays in her thoughtful spot on the couch while I return to cooking dinner.

Almost silently she slips by me and heads back to her room - I check on the other two playing outside.

Ten minutes tumble by before I realize how long I haven't seen Emily. I head back to her room where I find her kneeling by her bed in tears - genuine tears.

"Oh honey, why are you crying?"

"I've been thinking about Jesus all day. I've been thinking about bad things I've done."

I can't remember my next question to her or her response, but the next one comes from Him:

"Do you want to ask Jesus into your heart?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Do you know what that means?"

I offer a brief explanation and then ask her to repeat after me that prayer that sweeps her into eternal citizenship. A breathless moment...

We pray together. She stops crying. We hug. I hardly know what to think. Does she know what this means? Is it real?

And, I remember during her Quiet Time that afternoon - she came and showed me a drawing on her Magna Doodle of a hill with a cross on it. Then, a second drawing of water with a man standing on it - Jesus.

She's right, I recall, she has been thinking of Jesus today. I remember an earlier conversation about Him in the day.

I can hardly wait for David to get home. Walking up the front sidewalk he comes and my words tumble out quickly sharing the precious news of the life change that has happened in our humble home this very-ordinary-turned-eternal-day!

He pulls her up on his lap in the Peace Chair - a favorite spot these days. She says, "I asked Jesus into my heart today."

My heart is stirred and the tears come quickly to my eyes. I am in awe of the Holy Spirit's work in my oldest daughter's heart. I am in awe of Him taking my very feeble efforts at training her in His ways and using them for His glory. And, for all who have planted seeds of faith in her - I am grateful.

I quickly jot this on the calendar so we won't forget the day. I've celebrated my Christian birthday for 28 years and want to be able to honor that memory for her as well.

The next few days pass and I notice a change in her. A once uncaring heart towards sin has become soft and humble. She is apologizing and asking forgiveness. And, I know her decision is real because I see the change in her.

One morning not long after, we are cleaning up from a BIG mess of toys, books and clothes. I'm frustrated by it all. Emily cleans up everything without complaint and a simple, "Yes, ma'am."

And, as we finish - she hugs me and says, "I'm sorry about the big mess we made mommy. Will you please forgive me?"

A weary smile and, "Of course I will! Thank you for doing such a good job cleaning up! Would you like to go ride your bike now?"

I love to see that smile and happy heart bounce outside excited to be released from the chores. And, I'm honored and humbled to see how her heart has softened.

What a blessing to watch this small soul respond to God! I have prayed for this day and He has been at work! To God be the glory!

57 comments:

Lisa said...

What a joy to you! Blessings to Emily!

Ginger said...

Wonderful!

Lisar said...

Praise the Lord for your precious daughter and for you and David as her parents....what a special day for her Earthly and Heavenly Family...may she grown in her love for Jesus and be richly blessed all the days of her life.

Mary Ann said...

So happy for Emily! Thanks for sharing that awesome news with us!

Anonymous said...

rejoicing with you....how precious! thanks for sharing your overflowing heart! :-)

~eunice b

One Pretty Little Box said...

oh Monica what a sweet start to my morning! Thank you for sharing such an intimate moment with us!

Bonnie said...

What a wonderful post!
My oldest did the same about this time last year, and its SUCH a joy to watch her grow, and grasp things (far easier than I would've thought) about the Lord, and the deep questions!

Rejoicing with you!

~katie~ said...

Oh Monica, I'm rejoicing with you and our amazing Lord!!

Is it just me or does anyone else get weepy and overjoyed when reading about another soul won to Jesus?? :-) I wrote a post about my son a year-and-a-half ago here (he was six):

http://blessedfemininity.blogspot.com/2008/10/rejoicing.html

So excited for Emily and your whole family! Undoubtedly, her decision will have impact on her siblings! Praying for her and her new journey in Christ!!

Special blessings to you all,
Katie

3 John 1:4 !!

Anna said...

This brought tears to my eyes - praising the Lord with you!

Mrs. K said...

I had the distinct honor of leading my older son to Christ but with my second son, when he asked to accept Christ while we were driving down the interstate I decided to wait until we were at home, face to face. My then 5 year old (oldest) piped up and said "What if we get in an accident on the way home?" then he proceeded to turn around (guess he wasn't too worried about that accident) and lead his brother to Christ. They were 5 and 3. I bawled the whole way home. So glad I can call Emily "sister" now, rejoicing with you!

Carrie said...

Smiles and tears of joy! How awesome to lead your own daughter into the Kingdom!

Mom said...

To God be the glory indeed! We rejoice with you over this great step Emily has taken and are so thankful for the way God is working in her heart and in your entire family. It will be a blessing to watch her grow in her understanding of what this means! Love and prayers to all, Mom

Anonymous said...

Katie (comment above) is not alone with getting weepy and very moved when learning about another soul's name added to the Lamb's Book of Life! We are sharing in your joy, Monica! Oh, how sweet and tender, the precious faith of little children. May God richly bless Emily as she continues to grow in her walk with Him. And may He richly bless you and your husband as you continue to train up your children in the way they should go.

Leanne said...

Monica!
that is so wonderful...Christopher accepted Jesus in his heart the Saturday before Easter...I cried on Easter Sunday as I realized I would be with my son and the Son forever!! How wonderful!!! and you wrote about it so beautifully! thank you!

Anonymous said...

How awesome is HE who touches the heart of the little ones. Praise the Lord! blessings to you and your family.

Char in Mt. Airy

Kimberly Kovach said...

Awesome!

Anonymous said...

So happy! Rejoicing with you and the angels! God is good! Praise Jesus!

Unknown said...

That is wonderful news! Praise God!

Lauren said...

O.K. as much as I LOVE your posts this one tops them all hands down! I have tears of joy for you! Thanks for sharing :o)

Nancy at EmbroideryIt.com said...

I'm rejoicing with you here!
Blessings,
Nancy

Anonymous said...

What joyous news! Thank you for sharing it with us. My son was five when he asked Jesus into his heart.

Janeen said...

What a wonderful post !! Brought tears to my eyes !! No wonder Jesus said we need to have the faith of a child. What a blessing !! Rejoicing with you.

Wanita said...

How wonderful! It was such a blessing to read about Emily accepting Jesus as her Savior.

Jessica said...

Praise God!!!!! He is so gracious to us and our children. May Emily have a lifelong journey of getting to know our Lord, may she love Him always!

Dee said...

both of my sons prayed to receive Christ when they were about 3 1/2. It is an amazing and glorious thing! Rejoicing with you1

Carrie said...

I know EXACTLY how you feel when you write these words. My son recently asked Jesus into his heart and after our conversation, I left the room and bawled my eyes out! =D It's overwhelmingly amazing to see the goodness of the Lord as He draws our children to Him.

I will NEVER forget how that moment felt and his expression when I told him Heaven was rejoicing over him!

What a DELIGHT! Thanks for sharing!

Adell said...

I Love to hear how God touches peoples hearts and changes them, especially with the little ones! May God continue to pursue and draw Emily's heart to Himself and your whole family! Bless you...thanks for sharing!

rachel@thecupcakesprinklesinlife said...

YAY EMILY!
BIG HUGS {{{{{{hug}}}}}}

It is amazing when this happens!
Amen.

Katy said...

Oh my goodness....how beautiful Monica!!! That was such a spectacular thing to read...I imagine experiencing with your little one was even more so! God totally has Emily wrapped in his arms.... :) What a beautiful day for her...and for you as a mother! :)

Sara said...

Thanks for sharing Emily's story - heaven does indeed rejoice and I pray that Emily will go on to win souls for Jesus all her life!

Elaine said...

Dear Monica,
Thank you for sharing such a precious moment stretching out into the eternal. I rejoice with heaven and with you!
Elaine

Wendi said...

Yeah! I love how you have documented this day for her. Certainly something to be celebrated!

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

That is precious... welcome to the family!!

Molly said...

I never tire of hearing how Jesus has changed someone's heart and made it His! Thanks for sharing. Welcome to the family, Emily!

angie said...

Thanks for sharing your very-ordinary-turned-eternal day with us. No doubt your daughter will be a light for her younger siblings.
By the way, I have heard that "Letters to God" is a wonderful movie. (by same production co as Facing the Giants.)

Melissa said...

I could see God working in her little heart long ago. I have watched a mama carefully love and correct her children, always pointing their hearts to their creator. And I have seen little hearts respond to their mama with love and gratitude. I am so blessed to be a part of your life, sweet friend! And, I am blessed to watch the Holy Spirit at work in all of you! God is so good!

Cheryl said...

Ah, what a special day for you and your hubby. Rejoicing with you. What a special post. Thank you for sharing.

La Familia Garcia said...

We are rejoicing with heaven and your family!

It is such a humbling experience, one that we can never truely feel prepared for and it is the Holy Spirit moving in their little heart! It's usually when we are not "ready" or "prepared" at that moment to go through that. I don't know why God chooses to use us as unworthy parents to do such a high-calling job! I think about our role as parents when Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (19:14).

May God use that fire that she has for Jesus to grow stronger as she gets older. And that the excitement will grown into an excitement for her to continue sharing how God called her as His child.

sarah said...

When our oldest asked Jesus in his heart (he was 6), I had him write in the front of his Bible and date it. I wanted it in his own hand writing so if he ever wondered when or questioned the moment, it was written (printed) carefully so as not to be forgotten or mistaken.

*carrie* said...

I'm glad you posted this today, Monica. Of course I was thrilled to hear the story when it happened, but I needed the reminder today that God is at work--in our hearts and in our children's!

I love you, Emily, and am excited to watch you continue growing!

Anonymous said...

Precious Monica & Family:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! How grateful we all are for Emily's decision to accept Jesus as her saviour.

Your account of that day is beautiful.

I'm so proud of all of you.

Love, Grandma

Lee said...

Yeah!!!!!

mamabeck said...

Praise the Lord! What a joy to share! ♥

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

This post brought tears to my eyes. So very precious!

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord! Thank you for sharing your lives with us, what a blessing you all are to us. Now, I need to go wipe my tears of joy away. :)
~Yvette

GeonHui's Bakery said...

Awesome!

Angela said...

Praise God! How wonderful. This brought tears to my eyes. God is good.

Julie said...

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.

Elise said...

Awesome news, Monica!! I often wonder how you get to that spot. My children will ask me questions and I feel so ill-equipped to answer sometimes.
I do look forward to the day...
Elise

Sheri said...

Rejoicing with you!!! Praise HIM! There is truly no greater joy than to hear that our litle ones are walking in Truth!

Debbie Fisher (debbiedee) said...

rejoicing with you and the angels! DH led our oldest (now 17) to the Lord and I our youngest (now 15). There is no greater decision anyone can make.

Unknown said...

Such a wonderful moment, Monica! :)

Fullgrownwoman said...

Joining with you in praise and thanksgiving for another beautiful soul! I wept with joy at reading this! Continued blessings to you and your family!

Amanda said...

Wow, that's so sweet. I'm going to be going on a mission's trip in a couple months and really just helped me to put things back into perspective. Thanks for sharing.

Jenelle said...

What a sweet memory it is. Welcome to the family Emily, and prayers for your journey in the days and years to come as you discover the plans God has for you.

Pastor Todd Vossen said...

Praise the Lord, Thank you for sharing!

Shannon said...

Bless Emily! I'm so tickled for her!