I AM VAREE BAD I SHOOD GO TO JALL

These precious words were written on my front porch today in beautiful pink chalk.  I AM VAREE BAD I SHOOD GO TO JALL (I am very bad.  I should go to jail.)

"Why did you write that, Amberlie?"

"Because I am sometimes mean to my brother."

Thus started the most precious 30 minute conversation I have had with my six year old blonde haired, blue eyed beauty.  We talked about when we do bad (sin) and that we can ask God to forgive us.  We talked about Jesus and His life and His death.  Then I went inside to get the Bible my granddaddy and grandma gave me less than a month before he died.  Inside it my grandmother wrote the plan of salvation:

Plan of salvation
Turn to John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  (We discussed what this means - Amberlie, do you believe in Jesus?  Yes!)

At the bottom of the page, another note:
Turn to 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  (This means if we tell Jesus about our sins and we are truly sorry for them that He will ALWAYS forgive us and make us clean.  Do you understand what that means?  Yes!)

Another note:
Turn to Romans 10:9-10
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  (Amberlie, do you believe God raised Him?  Do you want to be saved?  Yes!  Then let's tell Him!)

Another note:
Turn to Acts 8:35-39
Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”   And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

On the last page, grandma wrote one last note, "Rachel, I love you. Grandma."  I read it to Amberlie then we discussed all the major points of the gospel. 

Jesus is the Son of God, born to Mary.  He lived a perfect, sinless life.  He healed others, spread God's word, and raised people from the dead.  Then according to God's plan, He was crucified and died for our sins.  God raised Him up, victorious over death, so that those of us who confess Him as our Lord and Savior will be with Him forever and always.  Jesus took our punishment. 

I asked her if she had any questions.  "Are there fun games in heaven?"

"Yes, Amberlie I am sure there are.  Haven't you heard the song Big House?"

"No.  Can I see pictures of your grandma?"

"Do you have questions about Jesus or God?  Do you believe in Jesus or are you confused?"

"No! I believe in Him!"

"Do you want to pray and ask Jesus to come live in your life and your heart?"

"Yes."

So we bowed our heads and held each others' hands as I prayed over her.  That her tiny life will be precious to Him and that she will live in His will.  That He will help her during the hard times but teach her each day as she lives as a child of God.  Then I had her repeat after me and ask Jesus to come into her life.  She confessed she was a sinner and asked for forgiveness and guidance. 

Amen.

(obviously it was more than this, but these are the highlights.)

So to my sweet precious grandma, you are still changing lives.  8 years after you walked into eternity.

Love you Grams, Love you Ams.

Peace.