March 18th. Nathan's Prayer

This photo doesn't have anything to do with this story...except that it is around the same time and Nathan was on the floor in front of this chair, while I was on his bed when our conversation and prayer took place.


I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since this occurred. I wanted to record it quickly after it happened so I wouldn't forget the details, but life happens, and here we are! So I will try to retell this story with as much accuracy as possible:

The third week of March Nathan had been asking questions about heaven. I can't remember why...it might have been from him hearing the word on Christian radio. He often asks me about the words in songs he hears. He asked me what Heaven was and I explained it was a place that those who love Jesus and know him will go someday. He says, "I know Jesus Mommy! I want to go to Heaven."

I pretty much left it at that because I knew as a 3.5 year old, there was a lot about all of that he didn't understand yet. But then in a few days, he asked me about it again. I think he was letting me know that he wanted to go to Heaven and wondered if he would. I hadn't even told him what Heaven would be like, aside from the fact that Jesus would be there.  Nor does he know anything about hell.  But he wanted to know he would go to Heaven.  So we delved into the conversation once again.

"Mommy, will I go to Heaven?"

"If you know Jesus, buddy."

"I DO know Jesus Mommy!" he exclaims excitedly.

I decided it might be time to go further ("eek! I'm not prepared for this! Shouldn't I read something first?) Then I remembered in a sermon from Mike Gaugler the words, "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."  (or maybe that was in our NT reading at church  Either way, I quoted this to Nathan and we walked through it.  It was a good time to continue the conversation about Easter and God raising Jesus from the dead.  

"I believe Mommy."

So we walked through a prayer to Jesus, and he repeated my words to our loving Father who was most likely smiling down on him.

"I believe in you Jesus."

"I believe God raised you from the dead."

"I want to know you  Jesus."

"I love you, Jesus."

"And Jesus' name is, AMEN!"  (I can't bear to tell him that Jesus's name is not in fact, Amen.  Not yet.)  :)


So there it is.   Simple, childlike faith.  I believe in his mind, it's done.  I'm grateful to see him starting to thing about these things.  I in no way look at this as the end. A "Phew! One down, one to go!"  sort of thing.  While I think he will enjoy hearing this story someday, I know that the Bible says that "...whosoever BELIEVES (present tense) in Him shall not perish and have everlasting life." (John 3:16)  While he is curious and trusting and believing...I want to capitalize on these moments, rather than tell myself he's too young.  And with God walking me through it, hopefully I can help him to see God's amazing love for us...through his little eyes.

It's amazing that this is the same month that he has been unbearably disobedient, disrespectful and downright hateful at times.  This child is teaching me so much about God's grace...and how if I don't receive it for myself, I will have a very difficult time giving it to my son...balanced with loving discipline.

Parenting is tough!  But this moment brought great joy.  I can't wait to see what God will accomplish in Nathan's life...if he allows himself to be surrendered to the Keeper of Heaven.