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Sunday, February 21, 2016

My brother, Brady

So my first born just prayed to accept Jesus Christ as his SAVIOR!!!! I am beyond thrilled, rejoicing with him and with HIM.  I feel so honored to have been with him when he felt this prompting from the LORD.  As Brady's mother, there is no other joy I can ever imagine feeling on this earth.  I am fighting my flesh on the skepticism and cynicism that, unfortunately, is woven throughout me like tendons and ligaments.  I know the LORD is in control of this, not me.  For many, many reasons, Chris and I have always wondered about the authenticity of children's salvation, the skepticism greater the younger the child.

Over the past 2-3 years Brady has asked us very poignant questions at different times regarding GOD, salvation, faith, etc.  We have always answered them and - I think out of a fear of pushing an agenda - been somewhat "when you are ready to ask Jesus in your heart, you will know.  You are still young and learning." because we did not want to "are you ready to say THE prayer" persuade him into a decision that was not a decision of GOD.  He would often say to us: "Yeah, I definitely believe in GOD and believe Jesus died for my sins but I am not ready to ask HIM into my heart yet.  I am young.  I am still learning." So, we would just continue praying for him to come to that decision through GOD's urging at a young age and not because he felt "this is what I am supposed to do. This is what is expected of me".

So tonight at his Upward basketball celebration, there were these two AMAZING guys that are slam dunk performers...Team Big Air.  They performed some incredible stunts and one of the guys shared his faith, his salvation story, and his career path.  At the end of the celebration the pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church prayed for all the kids and prayed for them to want to surrender their lives to Christ.  When the celebration was over I went to pick up Brady - the kids sat together with their teams - he handed me this postcard that was optional to fill out. He checked the box saying he asked Christ into his heart, the box that he wants to be baptized, and the box that he wants to speak with a minister.  He says "Mom, I need you to fill out this part"; the part for phone number and email address.  In that moment I said "Brady, do you know what all of this means?"  He said "yes, mom, I know" I said okay, filled out the info and he gave the card to his coach.  

I got the boys home, in the bed, story read, sound machine on and then stood on Maddox's bed - the bottom bunk - to talk privately with Brady in the top bunk.  I asked him about his decision, I asked him what it meant, I asked him how he felt, I asked him if he felt ready or if he felt he was supposed to make this decision because they handed out cards.  I talked with him for about 10 minutes and I felt he was genuine, I felt this was from GOD and I felt my own prompting, my own moment with GOD "child, why do you doubt, why do you lack faith?. I have come for all." Oh the conviction!!  My fear of Brady - all my children - not REALLY being saved - has allowed my own sin...doubt...and Satan to sully the best moment in parenthood.  Thank you, LORD, for shaking me in that moment and opening my eyes to see the blessing, the answer to a decade long prayer that almost passed me by!  I asked him if he wanted to pray, he said "I pray a lot after Evan & Maddox have fallen asleep and I am laying in my bed by myself awake" I said "okay.  If that is when you want to pray about it you can or you can pray with me now too, if you want."  He looked up at me and said "you want to pray with me?" DO I WANT TO PRAY WITH YOU?!?!??? (this is a dream come true my precious child) Of course I just  answered with, "I would LOVE to baby.  I have been praying for this since you were in my belly."  He grabbed my neck, bowed his head and then looked up at me and said "wait, I do not know if I know what to pray" I told him the great thing about praying is that it is just talking to GOD so you can say whatever is in your heart.  He bowed his head again and said a myriad of beautiful words "I am a big sinner.  I want you to live in my heart GOD.  I know you died on the cross for me, Jesus. Holy Spirit please live inside of me and lead my life" and so many more melodious words all through tears.  I asked him when he was done praying why he was crying he said "I am just REALLY happy, Mommy." Oh.my.word. I cried then too...I had been fighting them back all this time (again the cynicism...I did not want my tears to force him into an emotional decision).  I told him how cool it was that now he is my brother and we hugged it out.  BEST.DAY.EVER!!!! Praise you, LORD, Jesus Christ!!!!