Grown Man Crying

Today I know how my Uncle John felt the summer of 1980. At the time, we were attending Westbrook Church of the Nazarene and participating in their Vacation Bible School. I remember that during the last day of Vacation Bible School, there was an alter call and a bunch of kids went forward. But, being that I was only 5 years old, I didn't understand what they were doing. So, my Uncle came up and sat next to me to explain that the kids that all went up to the front had decided to live for Jesus and become a Christian. He said that they were going to pray and ask Jesus inot their hearts. Then he asked me if I wanted to have Jesus come and live in my heart. When I said yes, he led me in a simple prayer.

It was amazing! Even at 5 years old, I knew something was different. I knew I was changed. I literally felt a weight being lifted off me and my heart felt light. But I never thought about how my Uncle felt at that moment. Not until now... not until tonight.

Tonight, January 13, 2008 at 8:05 p.m., in only a way Cooper could ask, my oldest son said, "Dad, yesternight, before I fell asleep, I just think I would just want to ask and see if Jesus to come into my heart." So, like my Uncle did with me, I asked Cooper if he wanted to pray and ask Jesus into his heart. And so we prayed together, "Dear Jesus, I know that I do bad things sometimes, and make bad decisions that keeps me from spending forever with you. I believe that ou died on the cross for me. Please forgive me for the bad things I have done. Please come intomy heart and help me make good decisions and live for you. I love you, Jesus. Amen"

Oh the joy! Oh, the honor that my son would ask me. I am humbled, and thank God that he has answered my prayer that I prayed when Cooper was born. That God would protect him and bring him into His own.

I'll be honest. After I kissed all 3 boys, gave them blessings, and left the room, I just broke down and cried. Bawled like a baby, quite frankly! I'm not sure why. Perhaps because of the joy, or the pride I have in my son, or the release that my prayer was answered. But I think more so, because of the awesomeness of God. It was amazing to see Cooper being obedient to the call of God on his life; not yet fully comprehending the significance of it all, but being obedient nonetheless.

Thank you Lord for putting godly people in my life, who invested in me, and in my eternity. Thank you Lord, for allowing me to experience the biggest decision in my son's life. May he never lose his sensitive spirit! Help me Lord to train him in Your ways. And thank you Lord for revealing to me Your hand in Cooper's life, the way You revealed yourself to Moses on the Mount. I am in awe of Your power!