Penelope,
Tonight as per our usual bedroom routine, we read before going to bed. You are still sharing a room with your brother Atticus at this point. The current book we're reading is the Jesus Story Bible and we sat down in front of your bunkbeds to read it this evening, you on my left and Atticus on my right as per usual. Tonight's story was entitled "Get Ready!" which as a snapshot of the minor prophets and Ezra and Nehemiah polishing the Old Testament section of the Jesus Story Bible. After reading, we prayed and sang you and your brother's hymns respectively, again as per usual.
However, something different took place tonight.
I don't recall exactly how it began, but somehow the topic of Jesus' return floated off your lips. As we discussed Jesus' return and the judgment of the world and the salvation of the children of God, you became emotional (an atypical Penelope response) and began crying saying, "I don't want to go to hell!" (again an atypical Penelope response).
My heart leaped forward and wanted to go to the Good News, but the Spirit restrained my elation for the sake of putting things in their proper order. I went back to establishing with you from your own confession that you are a sinner and that God should in justice punish sinners by sending them to hell. After witnessing the Holy Spirit at work in your heart as you in godly fear and reverence trembled at His Word and the sentence due trespassers, I transitioned to the Good News of Jesus Christ dying the death we deserved in order to give the life He only He earned.
It was a pleasure and a joy to share with your broken heart the healing words of God's saving grace established forever by the perfect life, death and salvation of Jesus Christ!
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
Truer words were never spoken.
A truth I had the pleasure of observing take root in your tiny, adorable, soul.
We then talked about how perfectly Jesus has secured our salvation and how safe we are under Him, our King and Savior.
We then spent ample time singing and dancing and clapping and praying.
We talked about how Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare a place with Him for those who love Him.
We talked about pink walls, butterfly chandeliers, flower wall art, etc...
It was a joy to celebrate with you.
We talked about angels rejoicing and having a party at the repentance of one little girl in Northwest Iowa.
We thanked God for His grace and for His mercy in giving me the privilege of being your dad, your pastor and your personal missionary.
What a fun night!
We lastly discussed that we do not give our lives to Jesus only once. We give our hearts and heads to Him everyday. Daily dying to ourselves and living for Him by faith in submission to His Word and His Spirit alive in our hearts.
We talked about grieving the Holy Spirit by refusing to listen to Him and choosing our own ways.
We talked about good works being the fruit of knowing Him.
I was quick to remind you that your good works do not save you, only Jesus saves you.
Rather, good works flow out of our appreciation and gratitude for Jesus for all that He has already done and continues to do for us.
When we obey, we are saying, "Thank You Jesus for saving me, I will obey and worship You."
We ended by discussing that we are now here to share the Good News until we die or Jesus returns. He was patient in waiting to return until after He saved us and we pray that He would use us to share His Good News that others too may be saved before He returns.
I am excited to have you as a more than a daughter, but a sister in Christ by your confession of sin and dependence upon Jesus alone to save you.
He is a faithful God and mighty to save sinners like us.
I love you my precious daughter!
What a good night!!!!
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