Since becoming parents seven years ago, Matt and I began praying for our children to know the Lord at an early age. Neither of us, as children, had a personal, abiding relationship with our Maker. We knew of Him, but we did not know Him--a vast and eternal difference. As adolescents, we wreaked havoc in our lives, letting sin and flesh rule and reign. This is the state of our fallen, fleshly selves--always seeking after something or someone yet falling infinitely short of any sort of lasting, faithful, unconditional love. My heart yearned to know and be known. Piloting my own life only brought despair, destruction, and destitution to myself and those around me. I hurt others and I hurt deeply inside. How different my early years may have been had I given my life to the Lord without delay! When the Holy Spirit takes residence in our hearts, He leads us to Truth. He points us to the Father, convicts us of sin, and leads us to repentance. Our hearts' desires are for our kids to follow and fully trust in Christ's complete work on the Cross for their sins. We desire the Holy Spirit to lead them personally through life's treacherous waters.
Over the past year, Isaac has grasped more deeply the holiness of God and the depravity of himself. We praise the Lord for his unwavering belief that God is real, true, above all, and in all. Recently, he's learned the difference between monotheism and polytheism. We've had countless talks about Jesus, sin, Satan, the Fall, rebellion, disbelief, idolatry, creation, redemption, and almost anything in between. The Lord is growing our hearts and stretching our minds as we lead and teach our kiddos in the ways of the Lord. We treasure the conversations we share: the gentle, the tough, the sentimental, the corrective, the mundane, the silly, the serious, each and every one of them. God works all of it for our good and His glory. Every night, we pray for the Lord to bring salvation to our kids. We pray for the Holy Spirit to make them new. Only HE can bring about a work that miraculous.
My heart rejoices in the Lord's faithfulness. Two nights ago, through a discussion on the polytheistic worship of the Assyrians, Isaac made the unashamed, bold decision to follow Christ! Up to this point in his life, he believed with his mind in the One True God. Now He believes with his heart, a belief through faith and not by sight. Through the Lord's grace, we, as his parents, and others have sown seeds of Truth into His heart. Friends and family have watered and nurtured those seeds. The Body of Christ encouraged him, led him, shared Jesus with him, and ultimately, the Holy Spirit called him out of sin and into Light. He is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! Thank you to everyone who loves Isaac and celebrates this wonderful news. We thank our Lord Jesus for how he has used you as a vessel for Truth to teach and love our son.
Isaac, my precious son and brother in the Lord,
May you forever trust and believe in God's goodness to you. He saved you from eternal separation from Himself and invites you to abundant living on earth. Trust His leading and sanctification as you love him more and mature in knowledge and wisdom. We are elated to have you as a part of the Body of Christ. We treasure the gift of your life. The Lord has good things planned for you--not to harm you, but to give you a hope and a future! We look forward to witnessing the gifts he lavishly bestows upon you. He clothes you in Christ, calls you to peace, and commissions you to make disciples. Be bold, son, for the Gospel, seeking ways to share God's love with those in need. He will provide everything you need for a life of godliness. Seek to please the Lord in all you do, in every phase of your life. As you shared your joy with me the other night, "I'm excited, too, my sister in Christ!"--share the same joy with others. Let your light shine brightly as you proclaim His faithfulness. He will keep you, and no one can pluck you from the Father's hand. I love you and thank the Lord for your salvation, which is found in Christ alone.
For those who are reading and want to know more about committing your lives to Christ, please call or email us. It is our honor and privilege to share this amazing love with you! Today is the day of salvation!
