1 Peter 3: 8-9 says, “ But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
When people tell me that they are worried about their kids I tell them, “God loves your kids more than you do.” But this is something that I do struggle with. I listen to the world. I listen to others and that dishonest voice in my head that tells me that I’m in charge. That I have the power to convince others of things. The truth is that God has given us all free will and we are responsible for our own choices and decisions.
Since before my kids were born I wanted them to grow up in the church and to be baptized and to have a personal relationship with Jesus. But you know what? That can be tricky. The growing up in church part was easy… but the other two steps aren’t things that I had any control over. I had to be patient. And trust God’s timing… and listen to my own advice that God loves my boys more than I do and to trust in Him. Patience can be hard. Trusting can be hard. But God is so faithful and good. His timing is perfect.
Nathan called me last week and told me that he had made the decision to get baptized at his church in Grand Rapids. I was overcome with emotion. I am so grateful for Nathan’s path. I have always prayed that God would put Christians in their path to help them through their journey and he did just that. I had a trip planned and when Nathan called I told him I was going to cancel the trip to be there. He told me I could just watch it online. That he would be fine because his friends that walked beside him and were in his small group were going to be there with him. Wow! God has used this as another opportunity to remind me that He is AMAZING! This was all part of his plan.
I wish I could say that this has cured me off my impatience and worry. The truth is that I’m human and I’m sure I will struggle with this in the future. But today… today I will rejoice in the knowledge that one more soul belongs to Jesus!