talking openly about the One you love

For weeks now I have felt called to be more bold in sharing the Lord in our home. Especially with our kids. I don't know how to do that. I know how to pursue the Lord in my own heart. Worship, reading the Word, sermons, Bible study, etc. See, my husband doesn't share in the same faith as me, and that's alright. But sometimes it makes it tough to just start talking about Jesus to Loudoun and Avalon, not knowing what Rick is thinking as he hears sentences he doesn't agree with. It makes it a bit awkward.

But I am strong in my faith, and I want our kids to learn what I believe. They don't have to end up believing what I believe, of course it will be their own choice. But as a parent, I am instructed to provide guidance and boundaries for our children, and faith is a big part of that. And since Rick has given me permission to share with them, I really have felt called to show them what a life following Jesus looks like. Not only by example, but also talking openly and praying with them directly.

It's hard.

This balance of pleasing your husband and not offending...and talking openly about the One you love to the ones you love. 

Kids' hearts are so open to hear what you have to share, and it will never be any easier than it is right now to share the story of Grace with them.

So, I've been praying. Praying for courage, wisdom, and the words to come. At what point in my day am I alone with the kids the most, where I can be free to share? Why, it's in the car. And yesterday God opened up the communication line in a supernatural way.

As soon as I picked up Avalon, she got in the car and said, Mama, I miss grandad. He's in Heaven, right? And I felt the Holy Spirit tap me on the shoulder and whisper, here's your chance. Talk to her. 

After consoling about missing a great man from our life, we starting talking about going to Heaven, and what it takes to be able to go there. How everybody sins...do you know what a sin is? And she knew. A sin is kicking someone on the play yard. Or saying something mean to a friend. Or bragging. And we talked about none of us can be free from sin, no matter how hard we try. And anyone who sins cannot go to Heaven, unless they believe and love Jesus, because He died on the cross for our sins and rose again. He is perfect and never sinned, but loves us so much that he would die for our sins. He just wants us to follow Him and love Him with all our hearts, like He first loved us.

And Avalon said, I love Him. I believe in Him. I am so mad at those bad men who put Him on the cross and killed Him. And we talked about how lucky we are that He did that for us. She said she never wanted to do anything bad because she wanted Jesus to know how much she tries to be good. And I shared with her that none of us can ever be free from making mistakes. It's not about the effort, it's about trusting Jesus and the grace He gives us. And then we prayed. And she told Jesus that she loves Him, and she told God she loves Him, too. And she prayed she hopes He never dies again, because she thinks He is the greatest.

Me too, baby. Me too.

{Contributing today to}