Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Salvation Comes in the Morning (in the car)


Every Wednesday I work in my son's first grade classrooom. I drop my 4 yr old off at Mammaw's and then Lake and I head to school together. This morning after we dropped Kaden off, Lake said, "Mama, where do you go when you die?". I said, "Well, honey, that depends..... If you are saved and have accepted Jesus into your heart, you will go to heaven because the Bible says 'to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord". He said, "What if your not saved? You go to hell, right?" I said, "Yes." He hesitated a minute and said, "I want to ask Jesus into my heart right now". So, I prayed with him and we talked in the car in front of school for about 15 minutes about what it means to be a Christian and how we have to grow in our faith.
He has been asking questions every night before bed for about 3 weeks now. I have not initiated any conversation about 'being saved' because I figured the Holy Spirit didn't really need my help to convict his little heart. After we prayed, he said, "You know I'm gettin' babitized right?" (translation:baptized) I said, "Right, I know". He said, "Will you go with me?" (I thought he meant into the water) I said, "Ummm, where?" He said, "To talk to Pastor Arden!" I said, "Of course!" Lake is not a fan of water. He goes to swimming lessons only because I make him. Being Baptists, we believe in immersion baptism (see Matthew 3:16), so this is a big step for a kid who stays in the shallow end.
Lake is our first child, so we are in uncharted water here. I feel a huge burden to teach him and train him - help him grow in the Lord. What a huge responsibility! It will be a learning process for both of us. I just pray that the decision he made in the car this morning will be one he remembers when he is tempted to turn from what he knows is right. I pray that he will follow unconditionally and never veer off course. I pray that Steve and I will lead by example and he will see Jesus alive and well and living in our home and in our hearts. I pray that when he goes into that water, he will come up a new person and set his eyes on the Prize that is Jesus. I pray that he will not accept the watered-down version of Christianity that the world offers, but Jesus' version offered through the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

29 comments:

Mari said...

Yeah!!! What a huge praise. You and Steve have already been a great influence in his life and I know you will continue to be. Just think of the rejoicing that happened in heaven this morning!

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cheryl said...

YEAH!!!!!! What an exciting event. My children were young when they accepted Christ as well. It's such a blessing but we just have to pray that they stay close to Jesus all through their lives! I know you and your husband will follow God's direction in training your child in the way he should go!

Cheryl said...

BTW, I'm going to be checking out that website that Jason recommended! Let me know what you think.

Kelly S. said...

BethAnne, how exciting!! I am so happy for your family, and especially Lake. My first grader was saved last summer in VBS....I cried the entire day. What a blessing that a Holy God would offer such unmerited favor to us. What a Savior!! Praise You LORD!

Romans 10:9 if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead,you will be saved.

BethAnne said...

Okay, does Jason leave this comment on any of your blogs? I am getting quite tired of this same comment every day - twice a day............anyone know how to block jason?

Bethany said...

Congrats! My 8 yo daughter was just baptized last Sunday. I haven't had a prouder moment. What a gift it is to see your children come to faith!

Fran said...

Big praise Bethanne! This is the best praise of all.....

Praying for you....God will give you exactly what you need to say and how to say it. He's good at that! :)

Much love...
Fran

Steve said...

That's Wonderful, Sis!!!
Praying for him and you folks.

ocean mommy said...

This is the best news !!!!!

I will pray for you as you continue to train up that boy in the way he should go!

Cheri said...

Oh that's so exciting. What a great day!

Anonymous said...

That is exciting!

Rejoicing with you.

Unknown said...

That's too cool--Jackson got saved in the car last year as well. It's amazing how the Holy Spirit works just as we're going about business as usual. If we'll be sensitive to Him, He'll take what is ordinary and make it completely extraordinary! I'm rejoicing with you!

Anonymous said...

Bethanne, Delighted to know I have a new friend in Tennessee. God is so good. It is said we do not remember days....we remember moments. This moment with your son is forever. Your family is beautiful.

jennyhope said...

Praise God girl! I am so excited and cant wait for that day with Morg!! I keep getting those Jason comments on my blog. what is that?

Cheri said...

Yeah!! I am so happy for you. I just love to hear the God has another child. What a precious little boy, sounds like you and your husband have already done some great work for Jesus when it comes to your kids. There's nothing better to hear, than that of another accepting Christ!!

Cheri said...

BethAnne, I think your best bet for getting rid of Jason is to do the comment moderator. I think you can set it by going to your setup page. With this all your posts will be emailed to you first and then you have to publish them by simply clicking the publish button.
Hope that helps.....

Earen said...

Oh, Welcome to the Kingdom, Lake! What a wonderful thing! It's funny because my son Caleb accepted Christ in the car as well! It will be our special spot now! What wonderful news!

connorcolesmom said...

Bethanne,
That is incredible about your son!! My oldest accepted Jesus at 4 yr old but has yet to be baptized b/c it scares him so. The pastor said he will do that part when he is ready. That is great that your little one is ready and willing!!
Praise the LORD!!
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I am doing the PRiscilla study and LOVING it!
I have learned so much and God is answering my prayers left and right (probably b/c I am listening a bit better - hehe)
May God bless your weekend!
Kim

Rochelle said...

Yay!!! How exciting!! Yay!! And double Yay!!

Alana said...

I'm praising the Lord for his decision. I have a heavy heart about the process of discipling my children, I have to say. I like what you said about letting the Holy Spirt work on his heart. I know He is working on my oldest right now, too. Because we are getting the questions as well.

Yay!

Sarah Markley said...

That is so amazing! I am so happy for you and him and what a wonderful experience for you to be able share together.

He Knows My Name said...

bethanne, did my comment make it through? ~janel

BethAnne said...

Janel,
I didnt see a comment from you - not sure what happened - can you try again?

Bev Brandon @ The Fray said...

Bethanne, oh. my. oh. my
I first read Salvation Comes in the Morning in the ear. Faith does come by hearing...whether it's in the ear or the car...
Us older bloggers have to strain to see the letters sometimes and, no, Jason doesn't go after older women. Sigh.

What a beautiful moment in your lifetime and may God do Eph. 3:18-21 and abundantly more than we could ever ask or think. The Bible says when they ask questions is when we make our move and you did so beautifully. Deut 6:6 the whole secret to parenting--and you will pass on your heart!!

He Knows My Name said...

bethanne, i knew what was deleted don't worry. i left a comment or was leaving a comment. i guess it was the latter. sometimes when i type and get an interuption which happens alot lately i might just exit and so the comment was in my head and not sent and then i can't remember what i did. sounds chaotic i know and it is. i just try to sneak a peek at the blogs now and then when i really should wait when i have more time.

my comment was praise and gladness for you and your son. what a ride to remember. i am rejoicing with you as well as the angels in the heavenlies.

"let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:14-16

have a great weekend! ~janel

ocean mommy said...

Hey girl, come over when you get a chance. There's a little something for you. :)

steph.

j said...

The sweetest thing that I have heard all day....Praise God and tell your son I look forward to meeting him in Heaven, if not sooner!!! And what an honor God has given you by being the one to lead him to Christ. This is an alltogether lovely post, Beth Anne. Jennifer