Over the past few weeks Rebekah and I have had an on-going argument. The general gist goes something like this:
R: Jesus is dead.
Me: Yes, he did die, but God brought Him back to life.
R: No He didn't. He's dead and I want Him to stay dead.
Me: It doesn't matter what you want here, He's alive whether you like or not.
R: I don't.
Me: exasperated sigh and much praying ensues.
I was beginning to wonder where I went wrong with her.
Was I not giving her enough time each day because I was so preoccupied with the boys and their school work? Probably- but was that it?
Were we letting her watch something that we shouldn't be? Again, probably- but what was it exactly and was that the reason?
Finally, a few days ago, something happened.
After waking up Rebekah came up to me and told me that she had had a dream. As is my custom when my children tell me that they've had a dream, I ask them what it was about.
As a side note, I am a prolific dreamer and believe strongly that God has spoken to me on numerous occasions through my dreams. Therefore, believe that God also speaks to my children through dreams and so want to help them figure out what He's trying to say to them.
Anyway, she begins to tell me about her dream.
Something about 'daddy' taking his son and killing him but it was okay because now he's alive.
At first I was really confused and though she was talking about Graham and one of her brothers! Eek! Not the interpretation that you'd really want, lol!
However, after a few more questions to clarify things- I realized that God had spoken to her about Jesus being crucified but that now He was alive!
And the best part? Rebekah now believes and accepts it too. No more insisting that Jesus is dead and needs to stay that way.
It was so sweet this morning while we were out with friends that Rebekah came up to me and whispered into my ear that we needed to tell them that Jesus wasn't dead- that He is alive! I told Rebekah to tell them herself, which she promptly did.
As I think about this whole situation- the arguing back and forth for weeks and the anxiety that it produced in me, I realize that I forgot that God wants her to believe in Him more than I want her to believe in Him.
Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
You see, I could have talked to her till I was blue in the face and quite possibly would never have convinced her that Jesus is alive. Yet all it took was ONE DREAM from God Himself and now she KNOWS for herself that it's true.
I am humbled yet again that even in the midst of my human stupidity to argue with a four year old instead of praying about things that God still stepped in and worked a miracle!
It feels like it's been so long since I've seen God move in my family mainly because I've been trying to do things in my own strength that I've forgotten to look for His power moving in the lives of those around me. I've been too busy with 'stuff' and other things to really notice what He's been doing.
Prov. 29:18a says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." This is so true. This week has finally made me stop and take notice. It's pierced a ray of hope in the dark clouds that feel like they've been looming over us these past few months.
So today, I will hold in my heart the life-giving words that suddenly seem new once again: Jesus is ALIVE!
Keeping it real, by the grace of God...
Tammy
R: Jesus is dead.
Me: Yes, he did die, but God brought Him back to life.
R: No He didn't. He's dead and I want Him to stay dead.
Me: It doesn't matter what you want here, He's alive whether you like or not.
R: I don't.
Me: exasperated sigh and much praying ensues.
I was beginning to wonder where I went wrong with her.
Was I not giving her enough time each day because I was so preoccupied with the boys and their school work? Probably- but was that it?
Were we letting her watch something that we shouldn't be? Again, probably- but what was it exactly and was that the reason?
Finally, a few days ago, something happened.
After waking up Rebekah came up to me and told me that she had had a dream. As is my custom when my children tell me that they've had a dream, I ask them what it was about.
As a side note, I am a prolific dreamer and believe strongly that God has spoken to me on numerous occasions through my dreams. Therefore, believe that God also speaks to my children through dreams and so want to help them figure out what He's trying to say to them.
Anyway, she begins to tell me about her dream.
Something about 'daddy' taking his son and killing him but it was okay because now he's alive.
At first I was really confused and though she was talking about Graham and one of her brothers! Eek! Not the interpretation that you'd really want, lol!
However, after a few more questions to clarify things- I realized that God had spoken to her about Jesus being crucified but that now He was alive!
And the best part? Rebekah now believes and accepts it too. No more insisting that Jesus is dead and needs to stay that way.
It was so sweet this morning while we were out with friends that Rebekah came up to me and whispered into my ear that we needed to tell them that Jesus wasn't dead- that He is alive! I told Rebekah to tell them herself, which she promptly did.
As I think about this whole situation- the arguing back and forth for weeks and the anxiety that it produced in me, I realize that I forgot that God wants her to believe in Him more than I want her to believe in Him.
Romans 10:17 says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
You see, I could have talked to her till I was blue in the face and quite possibly would never have convinced her that Jesus is alive. Yet all it took was ONE DREAM from God Himself and now she KNOWS for herself that it's true.
I am humbled yet again that even in the midst of my human stupidity to argue with a four year old instead of praying about things that God still stepped in and worked a miracle!
It feels like it's been so long since I've seen God move in my family mainly because I've been trying to do things in my own strength that I've forgotten to look for His power moving in the lives of those around me. I've been too busy with 'stuff' and other things to really notice what He's been doing.
Prov. 29:18a says, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." This is so true. This week has finally made me stop and take notice. It's pierced a ray of hope in the dark clouds that feel like they've been looming over us these past few months.
So today, I will hold in my heart the life-giving words that suddenly seem new once again: Jesus is ALIVE!
Keeping it real, by the grace of God...
Tammy
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