Do your daughters know how you came to Christ? How He got hold of your heart and never let go?
I grew up in a Christian home with my mom, a single mother.
I remember the first time I was scared of the dark. I hid in the covers beside her as she turned on the light to read me Psalm 91, telling me of rest in the arms of Almighty God and angels guarding our home.
“Anytime you need help, dial 911”, she said. “Psalm 91:1”
I’m sure she read more scripture to me, but honestly I don’t remember. I didn’t have weekly memory verses in our home and we didn’t do dinner time devotions. She never forced me to go to church.
She raised me on her relationship with Christ.
She raised me on story.
One of the most profound stories my mom shared was how she came to Christ.
Alone. Scared. Lonely. In the middle of the night. Looking out a window. Wondering if anyone understands. Crying. And somewhere, His voice pierced her heart under a tent of stars. Sin exposed to the crevices of her “good” heart. He whispered His love and she responded. “My life is yours.”
She wasn’t at church. No big tent revival. No altar calls and praying Jesus into hearts. Just her. Just Him.
I know her story. Her whole story.
Do your children know your story?
“Did you know Mommy came to Jesus when I was about your age?” I say around the dinner table.
“The Sunday School teacher asked us who wanted Jesus in our hearts and Nana always told me I needed to know Jesus myself. I also wanted that little red bible given to us children who say yes.”
I continue as my daughters intently listened to my story. A story of selfish motives, even at the ripe age of six. I tell of His conviction and a challenge to true faith when asked to give my little red bible to the girl in the back row.
“I didn’t leave with a new bible, but I left with a new heart,” I tell my girls.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.” Ezekiel 36:26-27
I define hard words to my children and wonder if they can even pronounce Ezekiel, let alone understand the sacred words I’ve just uttered.
They know the story God has written on the tablet of my heart. That is what matters.
The next morning, my youngest daughter wakes me just as the sun is rising.
Still laying down, she asks me, “Mommy, do you remember how you told me about the new heart? Can I have a new heart, too?”
My eyes perk up and I sit up now because I know God is writing the prologue to her story, right before my very eyes.
We talk about Ezekiel and I explain the hard words again, and we pray.
“Do I have my new heart now, Mama?”
“Yes baby, you do.”
Our stories of salvation lead our daughters to Christ.
Tell them to your daughters. Tell them the whole story.
What about the rest of the chapters? What happens when you are living the middle of your story? We’ll talk about that next month.
9 Comments
What a great reminder! Our testimony is so important…it’s His story in us. It allows our children to see the real human side of us, covered in sin, and then wiped clean by the power and grace of God!
Erin recently posted..then
Melissa this is beautiful legacy in real life. I love this reminder. Our stories pull them to Jesus! Thank you so much!
Such great words. Thanks for the reminder to be intentional in telling my kids my story. Love that!
Hearing what God has done in people’s life never gets old to me. I love testimonies! I’d be happy to share yours at http://www.imperfectpeople.net I’ll link ya too!
Katie @ Imperfect People recently posted..Bird Seed Valentines
Good knowledge! I have already been looking for something like this for a little bit now. Bless you!
Thank you ladies! Indeed our stories are truly His…
Melissa recently posted..Guest Post- Nicole Cottrell – Fruit of Submission
How beautiful! I worry that I wasn’t raised the faith we’re living now and don’t know how to bring our kids to a true salvation. Who knew it could be as easy as simple, intentional honesty. God is good! Thank you for sharing!
Do you have any suggestions for those of us who don’t really have any “story” to our story? There was no outstanding moment in time for me, when I was saved. Nothing particularly exciting or interesting about when I came to Christ. I just … did. What is there to tell?
Rachel R. recently posted..The Factor Tree review
Hi Rachel!
My story is definitely unglamorous and uneventful against the backdrop of those who have had miraculous conversions! If you feel led to share the moment (or moments) that led you to Christ, it will allow your children to see that God works differently in His children…The scripture that immediately comes to mind is I Kings 19:11-12. Sometimes God shows up in a whisper…Your decision to come to Christ was submitting to God and realizing that He is the only way to truly live this life! There is a huge story in that, especially when our girls have so many choices that lead them away from Christ. Plus, the angels rejoiced in Heaven the day of your salvation!
More importantly, ask God to open the door with how to share with your girls. I am not saying this lightly or to be cliche! He really will open that door when it’s His time. Eight years ago, I prayed that I would have “faith stories” to share with my kids. All I could offer them were stories unveiling my mom’s faith. Slowly, but surely God opened the floodgates for me to share with them…
Stay tuned for next month because that’s when I’ll write about sharing the story that God is writing in you now! The point is to share your faith with your kids. Let them see God has and is continuing to work in your life. Even in “dry” moments of doubt and struggle, God is working and our kids benefit by seeing us live out loud.
Melissa recently posted..Bible Study Session 3- Pruning Branches
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