Thoughts for Life: He Meets Us Where We Are

Tracy Crump shares with us about her experience:

“I want to be saved.' Twelve-year-old Jason’s words took his babysitter off guard.

She called her friend Katherine for help. Together they sat on the porch and talked with Jason.

Katherine explained sin, starting with the story of Adam and Eve, and went through the salvation plan.

Then she had Jason summarize in his own words what she’d told him and answered his questions.

Convinced he grasped the significance of his decision, Katherine bowed her head while the youngster accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.

After they prayed, Jason’s seven-year-old sister, Lizzie, bounded up the steps. 'I want to talk about God too,' she said.

Katherine went through a simpler version of the gospel. Doubtful that the little girl understood completely, Katherine said, 'Let’s take this to Jesus.'

She wisely prayed that Jesus would meet Lizzie where she was and take her the rest of the way when she was ready.

Not to be left out, two-year-old Hannah parroted Lizzie. 'I want to talk about God too.'

Katherine took a deep breath, but before she could say anything, Hannah spotted her favorite play equipment.

'Trampoline!' she yelled, and ran off.

Children make us laugh, but the responsibility of leading one of these little ones to Christ is sobering.

We never want to miss an opportunity to help a child seal eternal salvation, but we can act prematurely.

Not every child who asks questions is ready to take that important step. And once children have accepted Christ, they need nurturing in their newborn faith.

Fortunately, all these things are from God, as today’s Scripture tells us.

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18 NASV

The same God who sent Jesus to reconcile us to Himself is the one who made us ambassadors for Christ.

We always have someone we can call on for help in reaching others.

Children aren’t the only ones who need to be reconciled to God. Some adults may never have taken that step.

Or they may have announced a decision before they fully comprehended what they were doing.

Whether you’re committed like Jason, questioning like Lizzie, or clueless like Hannah, pray today for Jesus to meet you where you are and take you the rest of the way.

He Meets Us Where We Are - Tracy Crump

Tracy Crump lives in Mississippi and has published dozens of devotionals as well as articles in Focus on the Family, Mature Living, Parent Life, and others.

Twelve of her stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and she writes a column for Southern Writers Magazine.

She enjoys teaching other writers at conferences and through her Write Life Workshops and webinars.

She also edits The Write Life, a monthly e-newsletter with story callouts for writers. But her most important job is Grandma to Nellie.

Visit Tracy at www.WriteLifeWorkshops.com.

Read Tracy's devotions.

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(Google image and my emphasis added)

Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us

Let’s pray:

Father, our hearts are open for Your instruction today. We desire to be used by Your Spirit to help others, no matter what their age is, to come to know You personally. May we be ready at any time to speak our faith, so others' faith can be strengthened and made alive. We ask this in the Name of our Savior, Jesus. Amen

Today’s Bible verse: Psalm 147:3 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."

Today’s quotes:

Tyler McKenzie - “The true proof of biblical faith has never been about achieving complete certainty, it’s been about maintaining faith in the midst of uncertainty. And the beautiful irony of such faith is, as you persevere, certainty grows all the more.” @WTMcKenzie

Tindell Baldwin “Just because you were covered in shame yesterday doesn’t mean you can’t be smothered in grace today”

Some thoughts today:

We’re to keep our hearts right and be careful of our actions before God in our tough seasons.

- When God adopts us – it is forever. Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:5

- You owe no one an explanation for your character. Just be true yourself! God is looking for character and integrity in His children! Use you wisdom and experience to educate your children. Be faithful to model godly character before them. May they learn what character and integrity are, by watching you.

Tomorrow’s post: The Silent Sermon GodVine

Tuesday's post: #29 Pastors are Beat Up C. Peter Wagner

Thursday's post: #30 Our Epidemic of Falling Pastors C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post: What's in Your Sponge? Barbara Latta (her thoughts while washing her husband's Harley...)

Sunday's post: Discovering God's Will Dr. Charles Stanley

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