I remember this part well. I was six years old and our church was in a week-long revival. My dad, seeing me crying one night after a service, and believing I was under conviction, immediately whisked me in to talk with the evangelist. Kneeling at a metal folding chair, I repeated the words he told me.
Here’s where it’s fuzzy…I don’t remember a word of what he said…before, during, or after I knelt.
So, I tried it again at age 14. This time, though, I remember more. I came to the realization that I needed Christ as my Savior and Lord. It wasn’t enough just to love Him. I needed forgiveness. I needed His Lordship. So, I prayed “the prayer” I’d heard all my life. I prayed it with all my heart and I do believe that I was saved that day
However… I don’t remember much after that. And in fact, to some degree doubted my salvation for many years. Why? I mean, I was in church every Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night. I had fantastic parents who I know love the Lord. So why would this happen to someone like me?
What I needed was someone to come beside me and disciple me along the way. Someone to educate me in what it means to let Jesus be Lord of my life and not just a Saviour. That’s why it is so important that we encourage kids to become consistent in a quiet time of devotion, Bible reading and prayer each day; helping a child to cement the most important decision he’ll ever make in his life so that he never forgets how he felt that very first day. This is what helps a good kid become a godly kid. This is what helps keep a young teen connected when the world around him says it’s not “cool.” This is what helps a college kid who’s away from home continue on his spiritual journey. And ultimately, what will help an adult whose memory can be a little fuzzy sometimes remember the greatest thing that ever happened to her.
