God's sovereignty in canceled "Eddie" led to something very special

Last night is a night I will never ever forget.

Even before our daughter Sadie was born, Julie and I surrendered her salvation to the Lord. We spent much time praying for Sadie and did what we could to put her in a position to respond to the Gospel. Every night from the time Sadie was an infant, we read Bible stories, prayed with Sadie and prayed over her, especially for her salvation. 

Julie and I are rejoicing because we believe Jesus saved Sadie last night. 

Over the last few months, Sadie brought up conversations about sin, death, heaven, hell, and eternal life. We have had many discussions sharing that we are all sinners separated from God and that the only way to God is through Jesus.  

Three weeks ago, we took Sadie to see the Eddie Aikau Surfing tournament. We told her that this was a very special event that happens once in a great while. We also told her about Eddie Aikau's life and death--how he sacrificed his life for his friends.

The tournament was canceled. However, that day made a profound impact on Sadie. 

The story of Eddie Aikau's sacrifice for his friends allowed Sadie to better understand the Gospel. It was like the lightbulb went on. She grasped with her heart that Jesus is God and came to earth to sacrifice his life for us so that we could live. She could not stop talking about Eddie Aikau's sacrifice and began talking more about about Jesus' sacrifice.

We have had many Gospel conversations since that time. It has been pretty evident that God has been stirring Sadie's heart for a while. Last night, Sadie said repeatedly, "I want to follow Jesus" and "I want live for Him."  Julie and I believe in the power of the Gospel. We are convinced that when we meet Jesus, everything changes for eternity--Jesus impacts all areas of our lives. The same has to apply for Sadie. 

Julie and I know that salvation is more than a prayer or saying the right words. It is a commitment with our lives to repent from our sins and surrender to Jesus in obedience. It's not that Sadie did not know the right answers in the past because she did. What made last night different was that as she talked with us about following Jesus, she did it from a different place in her heart. There was a desire to repent and follow. As a parent, I just knew something happened in Sadie. She had a longing to genuinely surrender to Jesus and commit her life to Him. 

The events of a canceled surf tournament did not save Sadie--only Jesus saves. But as I look back, I see how God used it to further make Sadie aware of her need for a Savior. God was already working through people, circumstances, what Sadie was taught at home, what she learned at church, and brothers and sisters in Christ living out the Gospel.

While parents have the primary responsibility in raising our children to follow Jesus, I will personally testify that it also take a village. What we teach at home has to be reinforced at church, Bible Study Fellowship, and through friends and family who love Jesus. Through the Body of Christ, Sadie has grown up with many "aunties," "uncles," "sisters," "brothers," and "cousins" who have pointed her to Jesus.

Sadie is blessed to have Children's teachers at The Gathering who are committed to preparing and teaching the Bible with excellence. Sadie hears the Gospel every week and sees it lived out. Sadie often shares stories of what she learned at church, recites memory verses, and talks about how she applies what she learned. Makes me thankful for children's teachers at The Gathering who not only love our children, but are committed to teaching the Bible and sharing the Gospel.

Also, from the time Sadie was an infant, Bible Study Fellowship taught her the Bible, how to have a quiet time with God, and shared the Gospel. In preschool at Trinity Lutheran Preschool, Sadie had teachers who taught her about Jesus and our need for Him.

As Sadie starts a new journey with her life in Christ, she will face many challenges especially as a pastor's child. This makes it all the more important for us to continue being faithful in pointing her to Jesus at home and to walk in unity with the awesome "village" God has allowed us to be part of.

Let us continue our commitmet to pointing children to Jesus through God's word, by His Spirit, and with our examples. My encouragement to those who faithfully teach children about Jesus and teach them the Bible is that you are making a difference--what you do really matters to God.

Parents and teachers, remember that God may use an event to stir a child's heart. However, your faithful commitment to raising up a child through God's word is foundational in pointing a child to Jesus. As we faithfully serve Jesus, He uses everything for His glory and to bring people to Himself. 

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."  -Proverbs 22:6

"...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."  -Isaiah 55:11

"...work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."  -Philippians 2:12-13