An interesting Gospel conversation with my DD

[MelInKansas]

I'm not sure whether to be excited or disheartened... I know my prayer efforts are redoubled!

Today we did Week 24 Day 3 in LHFHG. Both the History reading (about the first Great Awakening), and the devotional reading really stressed the Gospel and following Jesus. It even asks "have you made this decision?" So I asked my DD6, "have you?" We talked through a little bit what it all means, and she knows all the answers (her AWANA for this year has really helped too). But she clearly answered "no, I haven't made that decision." I asked her "do you want to?" "I'll do it when I'm big." We go through a couple of reasons why it might not be a good idea for her to wait until she's big to do it. She's very impressionable and a people pleaser, so I don't want her to say she's making a decision just to please me. But on the other hand, of course it's an extremely important decision and of course it's what I want for her more than anything. I asked her if we could pray about it, but as we were praying she was grumpy and couldn't even finish the prayer.

The thing I have seen in her for a couple of years now is that she has no sorrow over her own sin, which is I think why she's in this position. I am wondering how I can try to help her see the grievousness of her sin. We do punish for sin, disobedience, and definitely try to talk about heart issues.

Any thoughts? I'm not sure I feel like I need lots of advice. I was glad at least she admitted that she hadn't made the decision, it's good to know where she's at - and to know that SHE knows where she's at. Of course I pray that the Lord will change her heart, and soon! Especially now that I know for sure she understands it (in the past when DH or I have had conversations with her we've come away feeling that she really just hadn't put all the pieces together yet.)

[pjdobro]

That's a tough one! I do want to encourage you though that she is still is very young and though she can repeat to you the plan of salvation, that doesn't mean that she truly "gets it". If you do feel she truly gets it then I think I would ask her what is holding her back from making a decision for Christ? I wonder what her thought process is and why she is hesitating? Why does she think she needs to wait until she is big? Does she feel that once she makes the decision that she'll have to be "good" and that is too difficult? Maybe she doesn't understand that God strengthens us and helps us with the power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe she doesn't understand that we all still sin even after we have made that decision, but God will still forgive us. It sounds like many great conversations lie ahead. I will pray that God will direct your conversations.

[tnahid]

Well, I just want to encourage you in your prayers for your daughter. This is so important that we pray for our children. You sound like you are doing a wonderful job in training her up and teaching her the ways of God, etc. You might pray about teaching on the concept of hell and what that means? Just a thought. Sometimes, when children don't fully understand what Christ has actually saved us FROM, they don't really feel the need to accept His sacrifice for them. They have trouble sensing how bad sin really is. I don't mean to say that we place an ungodly spirit of fear in our children about hell, because we must always stress that our God is Love. Also, the concept that God wants to be our Father is very important, that what happens is that when we believe in Jesus and repent in our hearts of our sins, we become adopted into God's family forever.

We also have stressed with our children the coming Kingdom of God when Christ shall rule upon the earth, and how everything will be restored and how wonderful it will be to have a renewed and perfect body, no crying or suffering or pain, etc. My son really likes the part about the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It is a HUGE feast, and he can't wait to eat all of that perfect food that will not hurt us!

There is a book by David Reagan of Lion and Lamb Ministries called "Jesus Is Coming Again" This book made a real impact on my children. I think might be an excellent resource for you. Here is the link:

https://ssl.perfora.net/www.lamblionres ... 28P-5%3D29

This book is very vivid and drew my children in to it. He is very descriptive about Christ's return and how important it is for us to be ready and IN Christ when He does. I highly recommend this for her. You may just want to read it at bedtime as a devotional.

I hope this helps!

[lharris]

Hello and Blessings,
I agree with the Ladies, but also want to reassure you that because she is so little, my advice would be to just relax and help her fall in love with the Lord. How can we do that? You may have to not focus on sin at this point, she may not be quite ready because she is so innocent, but help her see God's love, and wonder in his creation. Do you have animals? Marvel over them allllll the time -- their palette of colors, their amazing diversity, their amazing loyalty, the absolute joy and wonder of the miracles all around you -- they know who their Creator is. Help her fall in love with creation, she'll begin to see God, and then just share Bible stories from scripture, you don't even need to interpret too much at this level. Let her hear God's Word and she will develop a sense of his presence. I would develop a habit of singing Christmas carols at night to her while she is trying to fall asleep. Let the Lord become a soothing, loving presence in her life through your love. The fear of the Lord is truly the beginning. Help her to see God the Father and develop a crazy love for Him. Then as she gets older, she'll start to piece together the impact of the Gift God the Father sent through his son. Stay encouraged!
In Christ,
Laura

[KristinBeth]

I agree with Laura that your dd may just be too little to fully understand. We all want our children to come to Christ at an early age, and it sounds like you are leading her rightly to Jesus. Just keep doing your teaching and training of her, showing her Christ's love. I know that I made a confession of faith at an early age. So early (around 6 or 7) that I don't even remember it at all. It took me many years of learning and failing and falling away and being brought back to Christ when I was older and could understand the impact of sin and heaven and hell and grace. Not that your daughter would need to experience that, but the point is that saying the words doesn't necessarily mean they are truly followers of Christ at that time in their lives. That's why we need our parents and others who love Christ to walk alongside us and guide us as we grow, even into adulthood.

At your daughter's tender age, she probably doesn't feel the full impact of her sin and need for redemption. She has more to learn. Trust in the Lord that He is sovereign and will draw her to Himself at the right time. You are doing the right thing in teaching her and leading her and praying for her.
Kristin

[MelInKansas]

Thanks everyone for the well thought-out comments and suggestions. tnahid, I will definitely look up that book. I am thankful that she seems to understand the Gospel so well, and I don't want to push her into a decision, or a profession, that she's not ready for or that the Holy Spirit isn't opening up to her. So I will continue with great fervor my prayer efforts on her behalf, and continue taking the wonderful opportunities that LHFHG has given us to discuss Jesus and learn about Him.

Fruit is a big thing, and to this point I don't see a lot of fruit in her. We have been really struggling with attitudes and things lately. So I also feel like from a character and spirit perspective, this is a really critical time for her. It's a time (as I suppose it always is) of choosing her path, and I just pray she chooses the right one!

[John'smom]

Praying for wisdom for you and for a tender heart for your dd.

My dd really struggles as well. She is 6. I have seen her under conviction, but when I ask her if she wants to pray, she will say "no". At other times when she talks about salvation, she says she's prayed several times on her own. I just continue to pray that her heart will stay soft and that the Lord will just give her a full understanding of salvation. They are really young. My dh was 7 when he got saved and hasn't struggled with assurance like his siblings have who both got saved at a much younger age. I think you're showing much wisdom in not pushing the issue and letting His spirit speak to her heart. (((HUGS)))

[water2wine]

My middle daughter was a bit like this at that age. I just kept on explaining with our devotion and with school. Eventually she came to the point where she felt conviction in her heart and she did come to me and tell me she was ready to receive Christ. I just kept on praying for her and every once in a while just letting her know that if she ever feels ready I am here to help her but I wanted her to really feel it in her heart that she understood and felt the need. After she accepted Christ she also understood more about how to live for Him and that is when we saw change in her. So sometimes it is not that they will change behavior when they are ready but I really believe the Holy Spirit is the One that draws and they know it when they feel it. They may put it off and my dd did but they can't ignore it because He will not let go.

I think it is a really good thing when kids question and even hesitate to come to Christ. It shows a real decision that is true. I made all my kids be sure they were ready before we prayed to accept Christ together. I just wanted it to be real and for life. Your daughter sounds like she is really searching God out. I think that can be really good.

[MomtoJGJE]

Something I've learned about 6 is that it is 3x2.... now, if you didn't have the AWFUL AWFUL time when your child was 3 that I've so far had with 3 of mine then you will not know what I"m talking about. But 6 is just awful They really are transitioning from babies to children. And this time THEY KNOW IT! Instead of the 3yo transition from toddler to preschooler.

I just say that to tell you not to confuse her struggles to find where she fits in life with the struggles she will have when deciding to follow Jesus

[MelInKansas]

3X2. Maybe that's what we're struggling with. She is certainly asserting herself in new ways and... boy do I see this attitude that is really difficult sometimes!

Thanks for the encouragement. I want her to know that it IS important, and we don't want to just ignore it, but I don't want to pressure her and I want it to be genuine. I really am thankful that she knows she hasn't done it yet, because I do feel that means when she does do it, she'll know it's genuine.