A Very Important Conversation
“Mateo, something needs to change. What do you think you need in order to be different?”
“I need to change my heart.”
“That’s right. And who is it that can help you change your heart?”
“God. But I can change it.”
“No, honey, I don’t think you can. You have tried and tried for a long time now, and nothing has changed, has it?”
“No...Mommy?”
“Yes, honey?”
“Will I go to heaven when I die?”
“Well, that depends. How do people get into heaven?”
“I’m a good person so I’ll go to heaven.”
“Sweetie, the Bible says that by believing in Jesus is how we go to heaven.”
Tears flowed from his eyes, a few sobs escaped, and then he said, brokenly, “I’m going to hell?”
“What do you believe?”
“I know that Jesus died on the cross.”
“That’s right.”
“But Mommy, if I say a bad word, then am I going back to hell?”
“Mateo, the Bible says that when we believe in Jesus as our savior, then we can go to him every time we mess up and he forgives us. Mommy messes up lots, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah, like when you yell at me! LOTS!”
“Yes. But the Bible tells me that I can go to God and say I am sorry, and he forgives me. And I still go to heaven. God knows that we will sin lots, but he says that once we are his children, then we get to come and receive his forgiveness.”
There was a long pause then, a lot of thinking, and a little sniffling.
“Would you like to pray, Mateo, and ask Jesus to be your forever friend and give you a new heart?”
He gave a giant nod, and then he prayed eagerly without any prompting, “Dear Jesus, please give me a new heart.” He cried a few tears, and then finished his prayer, “I want you to be my forever friend and help me.” It was the first time he has prayed in a very long while, maybe over a year.
“Now Jesus is in me!”
“You know it! And God, and the Holy Spirit, too!”
“And they aren’t ever going to leave!”
We hugged for a long time, and then he went to sleep. This morning when he got up, he was a different kid. He was gentle, obedient, and a real funny delight at breakfast, even though he was tired (this is a big change). I asked him if he remembered what he had prayed last night, and he said, “I have a new heart.” At lunch he prayed, and instead of thanking God for the food, he prayed, “Thank you God for my new heart!”
God has big plans for you, kiddo. May you follow Him all the days of your life. Be passionate about Him. Be a man full of faith, and may God’s grace and the wisdom of heaven guide your every day. Be filled with the Spirit. God bless you and your new heart.
A New Heart
Thursday, April 17, 2008
