When my son was between 4 or 5 years old, our church held some evangelistic meetings. My husband ran the sound booth from the balcony, so our little family sat up there with him. At the end of one of these meetings, there was the usual call for those who wanted to give their hearts to Jesus to come forward. As my active, curious son looked over the railing, no one walked forward. He came back to me, obviously stricken, asking why no one wanted to give their hearts to Jesus and strongly wanted me to walk down there with him. I don't remember his argument at that time, but I attempted to explain to him that it was only for people who had never heard of Jesus before.
Now, many years later, I ache with regret and ask God's forgiveness for not walking forward with my son. God had obviously touched his heart; had begun His work in my little one, and I refused the invitation. My son Was expressing that deep, heart/mind/soul connection with God FOR THE FIRST TIME in his life. As a family we attended church weekly, were engaged in "God's work" as a part of our life-style. I failed to see that my son, a relatively new member of this human race, had understood at a preschool level, that he wanted to be a part of God's family. And I missed it.
Dumb me. I missed it.
There's a moral to this story for parents out there. When your child expresses a wish to attend or go to any spiritual gathering or event, send them; or better yet, GO WITH THEM. God is speaking to them and despite all your excuses/reasons for refusing, please, please, obey God's calling.
