So Great Salvation

Last we was a frenzy of activity, since we were home for a few days.  I made a list and was checking it twice, trying to make sure that I completed all the necessary items before leaving town for a few months.

Winter clothes were removed from the trailer, summer clothes were dug out of storage bins in the house and placed in the trailer.  Junk was discarded, too-small items were given a new home, school books were switched out for the approaching school year (I really don’t even want to think about school starting yet), papers were graded, new clothes were sewn…  You get the picture.  The kids, reveling in their summer vacation, were everywhere at once, dragging out toys and games, and generally making a huge mess wherever they went.  It was absolute chaos!  Add to that, our church was hosting our annual missions conference that week, too. 

It was one crazy schedule.  There were times that I sighed within myself and wished for one whole uninterrupted day to get some things done.  Thursday was especially hectic, and my attitude was one of despair as we hustled out the door to go to church that evening.  I still had so much to accomplish, and I didn’t even seem close to getting it all done.  I am ashamed to say that I thought about staying home.  However, I went.  I decided that I would honor the Lord and just let the house be a disaster, if that’s how it ended.  I am so glad I did.

That night, in the invitation, Daniel, my youngest, asked me if he should go forward.  “Why?” I whispered.  His serious little face looked up at me and said, “I need to get saved!”  My heart leapt for joy, and I sat down and held a whispered conference with him, asking why he thought he needed to be saved, what is sin, and was he a sinner.  He answered each question with understanding, and I told him we would wait and talk with Daddy(who was playing the piano) after the service.  I knew Paul would want to be a part of this precious time. Accordingly, he talked to Paul, who quizzed him over the same things and was satisfied with his understanding and answers.  Then Daniel bowed his head and prayed the sweetest little prayer, asking Jesus to forgive his sin and come into his heart.  Tears of joy ran down my cheeks and I hugged him tightly, thanking God that salvation is so simple that even a little child can comprehend it. 

The next evening, since it was to be our last night at church for several months, Daniel was baptized.  It was hilarious!  The water was quite deep, so the pastor had placed a stool in the baptistery, but it floated away when he turned his back to reach for Daniel.  He picked up Daniel, who was quite excited until he saw how deep the water was, and the baptism proceeded.  Daniel had such a death grip on the pastor’s arm that he could hardly extricate himself.  In the end, Daniel was baptized, and we praise the Lord for this first step of obedience.

Excitement and anticipation

Explanation of what will happen in the baptistery

Getting ready to go in the water

Uh-oh!  This is pretty deep!

There is no way I am letting go of Pastor’s arm!

Down into the water!

My sweet boy!  I am so proud of him!

Leftovers

Last week, I cleaned out my refrigerator.  It was a chore that badly needed to be done.  Yuck!  I don’t like doing it, but every so often, it slaps me in the face when I open the door, and says, “Yoo hoo!  We’re still here!  When are you going to clean out this mess?”  I sigh in resignation and begin peeking and peering into sealed containers that lurk in the dark corners of my refrigerator.  It is a dangerous job, but someone has to do it!

I will say that we usually do not have leftovers very long, due to the fact that Josiah is like a human food disposal.  Occasionally, however, something will slip through the cracks, or is shoved to the back of the fridge where it sits in silence until the day of reckoning. 

I do not mind eating leftovers – it keeps me from having to make an entire meal at lunch time the next day.  Some days, it is a regular smorgasboard around our house – venison, spaghetti, soup, little bits of this and that.  Everyone gets their favorite meal at one time! Yay!  However, I know people who would dive in front of a speeding subway train before putting food on the table for a second time!  Well, it takes all kinds, you know!  :) 

I was thinking as I cleaned out my fridge about leftovers and how they relate to life.  We are encouraged from a young age to give our very best to God – our whole life.  Sometimes, people do that by dedicating their life to God and His service.  Others are sometimes not so fortunate as to have older family and friends teaching them to give themselves totally to God, and a great part of their life is spent in the world before, or sometimes even after, salvation.  The good news is, God still loves leftovers.  I do not mean to be sacriligious when I say this.  God will take those leftovers and He can still transform them into something wonderful!  Don’t lurk in the background – come out into the light of His mercy and grace and allow yourself to be used! 

So Thankful

Thanksgiving is approaching, and while I am thankful for many things the whole year through, this is the time when we focus on those blessings that seem to get taken for granted.  In the next few posts, I would like to mention some things for which I am thankful.

Today’s blessing is my salvation.  I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior many years ago, and His love for me has changed my life in so many ways.  I am thankful that He considered me worth the cost.  I am thankful that I live in a country where the Gospel is freely accessible.  I am thankful that my parents taught me the Word of God from an early age and prepared my heart to seek the Lord.  So much of my life is affected by this decision that it is hard to draw the line at where to stop.  Eternal salvation is the most precious thing that was ever given to me, and I want to publicly express my gratitude for this life-changing gift.