Child-like Faith

 

The term “Blessed” is used so much these days. Almost to the point where its meaning does not hold the same weight. That being said, I will say that one of my biggest blessings is that I was born to parents who made it a priority to go church each week, participate in church activities and spend time in the word and prayer. Though I did not know it back then, that became the foundation of my faith which has evolved over the years. Week after week I spent time in Sunday school and Wednesday night activities. The stories and lessons we were taught were exciting and interesting. At the time they were just stories to me, but one thing I did know at the young age of five, was that hell was bad and I did not want to go there. I vaguely remember a conversation I had with my mom after we had come home from church. We must have been talking about heaven and hell at church, so as I sat on the toilet in the bathroom, I told my mom that I did not want to go to hell I wanted to go to heaven. I’m sure she went on to explain what a personal relationship with Jesus is. Acknowledging that He died on the cross for our sins and as a result we will be spared from eternity in hell which is what we really deserve. Instead, as children of God we will get to spend eternity in heaven with Him. To me, that was the obvious choice, and at the age of five “asked Jesus into my heart”. Though I was saved that day, it wasn’t until years later that I really was able to understand what I was “saved” from and the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. I am so thankful that I was introduced to God at such a young age, and I can truly say that with all I have been through over the last 30+ years, God has been with me the whole time. Even when my back was turned, He was there, and I am alive today because of it.