SAVED...

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14

Anna was baptized on Dec., 25 2005 and it was on that day the Holy Spirit began a good work in our little girl. When you visit with Anna about God, Jesus, Heaven, Creation, Angels... you name it (today it was JOY and KINGDOM) ... you'll find that she seems to "get it" so easily. Sometimes the things she says actually helps ME her MOTHER to understand things about God. It is not odd for Anna to say things like, "when we die we will all be together in heaven." or "Jesus, thank you for the world and our hearts."

A few weeks ago and close friend of ours had a car accident. As we were leaving the house, Anna said, "Mom, we're sad because (said friend) got into an accident, we should pray." I said, "Yes! C'mon, get in the car and we will pray." I needed to drive the kids to the other side of post to a sitter, so I could go and be with my friend who was in the accident. As Anna prayed I heard her say things like, "We are sad, but You can help us feel better." -- "Help the people in Japan." -- "The world doesn't like you, but we want you to be our King." I mean, she was PRAYING like she was on fire!! It took us about 20 minutes to get to the sitters house and she was STILL PRAYING!!

So, today at church (we are attending the Main Post Chapel on Ft. Polk) the minister was giving the invitation at the end of service. One soldier had gone forward, Caleb was on my lap sleeping, and as I looked down at him I caught Anna out of the corner of my eye raising her hand. This actually hasn't been the first time for her to raise her hand, but this was the first time that after I asked her "do you want to go up?" she responded, "yes." I nudged Josh and he bent down and asked her "Why do you want to go up there?" and she said, "I LOVE JESUS."

So... up they went.

The minister got down on her level. Asked her a few questions and then prayed a very simple prayer that consisted of her confessing that she was a sinner, that she loved Jesus, believed that He died on the cross for her sins, and wanted Him to be in her life. I explain all this, because I come from a religious background where people aren't "saved" in this style. Rather, we are baptized as infants (which to me contains an amazing miracle in it, but not the point of this post) are ideally raised in a Christian setting, encouraged and trained by our parents and others to profess our faith in God and our salvation only by His grace not by our works, and then at a later point in life confirm that faith for our own.

Today is monumentally special for us as a family. When Anna raised her hand was I supposed to say, "No sweetie, you don't have to go up there. You were baptized when you were a baby, so this isn't for you?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Instead, I rejoice knowing that the Holy Spirit has worked in my little girls life. That she is becoming a Christ follower and living out her faith... even at the age of 5. THANK YOU FATHER!