Child like Faith

One of my longer posts but I shared this at Union Gospel Mission New Years Eve I'd like to share it with you! It's about child like faith which is something I have been learning about alot through the last five months.

The Romans road is all truth but what do you do with truth? You either accept it or reject it. Having a child changes everything! Something that used to take me 2 minutes takes more like 20 minutes. Every time we leave to go somewhere we have to make sure we we have everything we need for our son, but it's the most beautiful change! It also changes the what and how I believe. I'm learning to believe in the God of the impossible. Turn with me to Mark 10: 14-15. "When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, will never enter it."

In this passage Jesus was speaking about child like faith! I didn't understand this concept until recently. I'm learning more about it everyday. Since the birth of our son God has had me on a journey learning my faith, His word, and my heart. I spend more time in his word then I ever have before, why? because I am seeing Him through the eyes of a child. At this point Zechariah came up to the podium with our son Nathan. This is our son Nathan he's almost 5 months old. We got some good response to this portion ;)
I have a duty to my son to teach him about God and what we believe him to be. I want my son not only to know scripture but know who God really is and who he can be for him.

God's been teaching me key concepts that I feel express child like faith prayer, grace, approval, love and peace.

My prayer life has greatly increased. Before I was ok to get around to it now it's essential to start the day off in prayer. I pray about anything anyone anytime. I'm seeing those prayers answered. Now when I pray I do so as if I'm absolutely certain God will answer me. He knows our hearts, he knows the longings we have and answers them.

Grace was something I never knew how to give myself until recently. When I make a mistake or act out of emotion rather then love, like I did this Christmas. I got overwhelmed and tired and didn't want to pushed to do one more thing and Nathan was also getting fussy so I almost didn't let him take a family picture but it ended up being fine. He had fun grabbing Auntie Mica's reindeer antlers ;) I apologized to my mom-in-law the next day and we were fine again. She gave me grace so I could give myself some too. I didn't have to think about my behavior anymore I know we'll have all this year to make many more beautiful memories!

Approval was something I fought for all my life. In this passage Jesus holds the children in his arms. Picture this with me, what does holding a child look like? Whether you're comforting them, feeding, or just want a snuggle what does it look like? To me it looks like approval. Jesus probably smiled at them and then blessed them. He approved of them even though he knew the sins they would commit later in life. He does that for you and I too.

Love has come alive to me lately. In a previous post I talked about the whole VCUG testing we had to do for Nathan so I explained it to the men here. During the weeks that led up to this God kept telling me "ask anything in my name and it shall be done."Heartfelt prayer and tears in my eyes I asked for them not to find anything. The doctor said that he though Nathan was normal. I told the men "this is where you clap because God is good." They clapped :)

Through this and so many other times as a stay at home mom I'm learning peace. As His child I can be at rest no matter what he puts my family through. Peace used to mean quite baby, soft music, a beautiful tranquil scene but it now means knowing I'm loved even with a crying infant. It's knowing Nathan can scan the room and when our eyes meet pure joy comes to his face. I'm accepted, I'm loved, I'm needed.

God has a message for everyone in this room tonight. He loves you no matter what and approves of you. When I really let this truth sink in it changed everything. It doesn't matter what you've done, are doing, or will do. He knew your sins and mine before we ever committed them and still loves us. He knew we needed a clean slate. He knew we needed a Savior. Romans road is all truth as is the whole Bible, child like faith is putting that truth into action. What would change if you were absolutely certain God was with you? I have come to believe in the God of the impossible. The God that can heal beyond medical knowledge, healing broken hearts, open doors no one can open. I've come to believe every prayer will be answered, even if it's not in the way I expect. Will you join me? Will you seek God with your whole heart despite what you were taught growing up? Will you take your own faith journey now become childlike in your pursuit of God? He would love nothing more! Even if you give him 5 minutes he will use those 5 minutes to reveal his truth.

Tonight you can start off on the right foot for a new year. You can let God make his home in you and show you his love and fill your life with peace even when everything around you looks like chaos. I know what he's done for me. I'd love that for you also. Thank you we love you!

Thank you all for joining me on this journey and I pray we can grow in child like faith together!
Love you!

Tina Martina Putney