My third son Nathaniel has always been quite obedient and easygoing. He never went through the “terrible two’s” stage; he simply put his chin down when he was upset. He was such an easy child that I guess I forgot to train him. Not really, but my focused training always went to the other children who seemed to be lacking in ways that were more obvious. I still taught him about God and required obedience, but parents will naturally give more attention to the squeaky wheel rather than the one who is not causing resistance.
My husband and I used the book The Lamb (by John R. Cross) to present the gospel to our son when he was five. He didn’t seem to fully grasp the gospel at the time, almost like he wasn’t paying attention. He enjoyed the story, though.
We waited about six months, and it was December of last year when we read the book again. This time he understood it, but something was off. My husband sensed it, too, and we couldn’t quite put our finger on what it was. We waited.
I asked God for wisdom to know what my son was lacking, and I saw that he always felt that he was in the right. If he was ever disciplined for anything, he never took responsibility but would blame everyone else. I realized that he didn’t think he ever sinned. How can the righteous enter the kingdom of God? It is impossible. I asked God to show me how to get through to him.
One day he was upset and went into his room and tore his outer space poster. I can’t remember if he came and told me what he did, or if one of his brothers tattled on him, but there I was, standing in his room, looking at how ugly the poster looked as it hung there, torn and mangled. I saw the doorway through which to reach my son. As I prayed for the right words, I said, “That is your heart without God.” I pointed to the poster. My son cried. It actually seemed to sink in.
He took responsibility for what he had done. He didn’t play the victim like before. He said what he had done was wrong. I told him that was because all that was in him was sin. He needed a Savior. He needed Christ in his life to help him live the way he ought to live. He said he wanted to be saved. I waited for my husband to get home before telling him, “Today is the day of Nathaniel’s salvation. His heart is right where it needs to be.” Nathaniel explained to his dad what he had done, and my husband talked with him and led him to Christ. Once again, there were tears streaming down my face.
“Why are you crying, Mom?” my son asked with joy in his face.
I was too choked up to speak. My husband explained to my son that this was the most important day of his life, and that I knew it, and that’s why I was crying, because I was happy.
