In the car ride on the way home from Trader Joe's this week (I swear, the best conversations happen in the car!) Ella expressed to me some confusion she had about the Holy Spirit. Heavy duty for a five year old, eh? I prayed that God would give me the wisdom and words to communicate His love to her without adding any further confusion and I asked her if she would like me to explain to her more about the Holy Spirit. She agreed and I went on to explain something like this:
After Jesus died and came back to life, he told his followers that someone even better than he would come to them. That was the Holy Spirit. Because when Jesus was a man on earth, he couldn't be with everyone who wanted and needed him at the same time. And when the Holy Spirit came, he could be with everyone who asked for Him all at the same time. So that was even better. People who want to know God more can know him through the Holy Spirit being with them.
Then I went on to explain the Pentecost in a very simplified way. Basically I told her that when the Holy Spirit came down to the disciples, they experienced things like joy and courage and even did some crazy things like speaking in other languages that they didn't understand. But more than anything, I explained to her that having the Holy Spirit meant feeling the closeness of God and His love in a real way in our hearts. She then said, "Mom, I don't have that." to which I replied, "First we have to tell Jesus we want to follow him and obey him and then he promises to give us his Holy Spirit to know him more and to lead us. Do you want to pray and ask Jesus?" With a smile, she said, "Yes." I relayed to her a basic prayer that she could pray, but when she closed her eyes and tried to repeat it, it was too much information to remember. She opened her eyes and I could tell she felt insecure. I said, "Ella, don't worry about getting all the words right. It's ok...just close your eyes and say whatever comes into your heart." And this was a moment that I will never forget. We were sitting at a red light and I watched her in the rear view mirror. She closed her eyes and opened her little hands and prayed something like this: "Jesus, I believe in you and I trust you. I want to obey you. Will you be with me and give me the Holy Spirit so I can know you better?" Then she opened her eyes and her lip started to quiver and she said, "I think I'm gonna cry!" But it was a happy cry. I reached back and squeezed her little leg and told her how happy I was for her. Then I prayed for her.
Afterward, I explained to her that when she feels God's love and has peace and safety in her heart, that God's Holy Spirit is with her.
I know that Ella is young and immature and that this experience will take some real walking out. But I can't deny the sincerity of it in her young heart. I remember myself as a little girl having desires for God in the same way, and I knew enough of His character and love to recognize him as a young adult when I was truly ready to surrender my life to Him. For Ella, I will continue to pray that her heart stays soft to receive Him in all her years!
After Jesus died and came back to life, he told his followers that someone even better than he would come to them. That was the Holy Spirit. Because when Jesus was a man on earth, he couldn't be with everyone who wanted and needed him at the same time. And when the Holy Spirit came, he could be with everyone who asked for Him all at the same time. So that was even better. People who want to know God more can know him through the Holy Spirit being with them.
Then I went on to explain the Pentecost in a very simplified way. Basically I told her that when the Holy Spirit came down to the disciples, they experienced things like joy and courage and even did some crazy things like speaking in other languages that they didn't understand. But more than anything, I explained to her that having the Holy Spirit meant feeling the closeness of God and His love in a real way in our hearts. She then said, "Mom, I don't have that." to which I replied, "First we have to tell Jesus we want to follow him and obey him and then he promises to give us his Holy Spirit to know him more and to lead us. Do you want to pray and ask Jesus?" With a smile, she said, "Yes." I relayed to her a basic prayer that she could pray, but when she closed her eyes and tried to repeat it, it was too much information to remember. She opened her eyes and I could tell she felt insecure. I said, "Ella, don't worry about getting all the words right. It's ok...just close your eyes and say whatever comes into your heart." And this was a moment that I will never forget. We were sitting at a red light and I watched her in the rear view mirror. She closed her eyes and opened her little hands and prayed something like this: "Jesus, I believe in you and I trust you. I want to obey you. Will you be with me and give me the Holy Spirit so I can know you better?" Then she opened her eyes and her lip started to quiver and she said, "I think I'm gonna cry!" But it was a happy cry. I reached back and squeezed her little leg and told her how happy I was for her. Then I prayed for her.
Afterward, I explained to her that when she feels God's love and has peace and safety in her heart, that God's Holy Spirit is with her.
I know that Ella is young and immature and that this experience will take some real walking out. But I can't deny the sincerity of it in her young heart. I remember myself as a little girl having desires for God in the same way, and I knew enough of His character and love to recognize him as a young adult when I was truly ready to surrender my life to Him. For Ella, I will continue to pray that her heart stays soft to receive Him in all her years!
2 comments:
I love reading all the moments you share on this blog... I seriously read from the latest blog post to this one and am just so moved by all these special moments!
I sure love the Bryan & Rachel clan. xox
Thanks Amie! We love you and are glad you're part of our clan! xx
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