Briget’s Blog

Scottie just shared with me that she has made a profession of faith. She has decided to follow the Lord and ask Him into her heart. When she shared this with me, I immediately stopped what I was doing and asked her exactly what she prayed. She said that she knows she is a sinner and that Jesus died on the cross for her, and that she prayed to be forgiven of her sins and for Jesus to help her stop sinning. She said that she loved Him with all her heart and wanted to be with Him forever and ever in Heaven.

I asked her if she knew what it means to be saved. I asked her if she understands that she has to live the rest of her life trying to honor and please God. I asked her if she understood that she has to hate her sin and always try not to sin and do what is right by God. She said that she understood that. I also asked her if she was sure she was ready to do that and follow Jesus as long as she lives. Her eyes opened WIDE, and she said she was ready. Then I asked her how she felt now. She told me that she was really happy and that she felt funny in her tummy (cute).

Ever since Scottie had the simplest understanding of salvation, she has prayed to be saved. Every prayer included, “…and please let me be saved. Amen.” I have been praying for her (and the boys also) to understand what it means to TRULY follow the Lord.

This is such a touchy topic with me. I grew up knowing many “saved” children who didn’t have the slightest idea what it meant. You all know what I mean. So, as excited as we are that she has made a profession of faith, Seth & I will continue to shepherd our daughter’s heart through building her relationship with Jesus. We will also encourage her to continually examine her heart and actions. It’s touchy because I know that it’s really between them and God. I know that he sees their hearts. I also know that we should be able to see it on the outside.

We have been through his with all of the older boys as well. Jamie has come back from church camp TWICE saying he was saved…yeah…See what I mean? Seth & I have sat up many late nights with Elijah answering questions about the Bible & who God is. Elijah has said that he accepted Christ also. Then he said he wasn’t sure. Then he said he was. I’m glad that he is searching deep into his heart and not just saying “the prayer” and forgetting all about it. Arik is a whole other story. He also has said that he is saved, but it was right after the other boys. I haven’t really seen a changed heart in any of them, except Elijah. So….pray for them all please.

Of course I want all my children to accept Christ as their Savior. I want them all to grow and have a close, personal relationship with God. I want to see them reading their Bibles every day (without being told to). I want to see them respond to their own sin without me telling them to go pray about what they’ve done. Oh goodness…Parenting is hard. It’s amazing to me the the Lord has entrusted us with 5 little hearts to shepherd. We’re really in for it!