My Brother

Alright. I need to tell you a story.

I already told everyone that I know in the flesh, but my blogging friends, I am sure, would like to hear this as well.

I was coming home from school last Thursday. It was just me and the boys in the truck, and we were delving into some deep conversation... as boys in pickup trucks tend to do. We were discussing what it means to be saved, and my five-year-old was asking all of the questions, trying to wrap his mind around it.

In the process of trying to explain this miracle, I merged into the story of Nicodemus, when he came to see Jesus at night. My oldest, had been quiet through most of this, but when I mentioned that Nicodemus had been confused about the "being born again" part, Number One says, "... I am not confused anymore."

"No, you're not." I responded. "You have understood this stuff for quite a while haven't you?"

And he has. He has been able to answer all of the questions for a long time. This has been the trouble for me though. There have been so many times that I have talked with him about this topic, and he has understood every word (he's very bright), but when it came to the question of whether or not that was for him... It was always a steadfast "no." Always said with a very stone-faced expression. No emotion.

I have said for the last few years that Number One wasn't going to get saved until he wanted to. There wasn't a soul that was going to talk him into it. Including me. And even though I didn't even realize I was doing it, I think that I was hoping that I could say just the right thing, or just the right word-sequence, or just the right thought-concoction to get him to choose God. To choose Christ!

I finally gave up. I knew that it had to be a work of God.

So, there we were in the pickup truck, when Number One says, "Daddy, when we get home, I need to get saved."

There it was. The moment I had been waiting for. I waited until I got home and pulled him in my room real quick, just to ask him what was different this time. His exact words were, "Well Daddy, when you were talking in the truck, God just spoke to my heart." It wasn't me. It was HIM. I can't tell you the joy that I was experiencing at that moment.

We went out in the living room with the mommy, and after a few questions that I already knew that he knew, I said, "Well Son, this is between you and God. I am just going to sit here and listen in."

It was the most amazing prayer that I have ever heard. It was heartfelt and unscripted. He prayed from the heart. And my emotionless little boy began to tremble and cry as he told God he was a sinner... that he needed a savior. I hate to admit it, but my eyes are welling up just thinking about it.

It was a great moment, a moment that I will never forget.

He immediately began to show the first fruits of true salvation by spending the next hour on the phone trying to call everyone he knew. He started with the two women that have prayed for him (probably more than I have): my mom and my wife's mom. They were both thrilled.



I share all of this with you because it is a true praise. I have asked God so many times to save him. I would easily give up anything for the salvation of my children, and have offered my life to God more than once for that very thing. (Which I noticed that my wife said the same thing on her blog.)

So, for those of you who are my true brothers in Christ, I wanted to let you know that you now have another new brother.

To God be all the Glory!