Madison's Heart

Madison asked Jesus into her heart on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 in the late evening.  It was a really sweet moment between God, her, and myself. 

I bought Madison a devotional book early this summer because  I thought that it would be neat to do a devotion side by side next to my daughter and I really wanted to get disciplined in my time with God.  Well, it turned out a little different than I thought, due to her wanting to read with me and me thoroughly enjoying my time with her.  We had been reading and praying through a short devotion for girls and after a few times, I felt prompted to ask Madison a question.  I asked her where God lived.  I didn't know exactly where this conversation would go, but it felt right, so I continued.  Of course Madison replied that God lived in heaven and I asked her if there was anywhere else that He could live.  After a few moments of thinking about it, and I don't know if she recalled it or if I said it, but we discussed how God also lives in people's hearts.  This then lead to Madison asking me if God lived in my heart.  I told her that God did live in my heart, but that He had not always lived there.  I told her just a little bit about my childhood and going to church, and I also told her that I asked Jesus into my heart at the age of 18 when I decided that I wanted to live for Jesus.  She pondered my explanation and then asked if Daddy had God in his heart.  Oh, the wheels were turning in my sweet little Madison Mae's mind, and I thought that I could feel her heart being stirred.   What an "awe"some moment for a mother to experience.

I told her that  Daddy asked Jesus into his heart when he was a young kid and that he has been walking with God and having a relationship with God ever since.   After a few more moments I told her that she could ask God into her heart if she ever wanted to.  She sat there alone in her own thoughts for another few moments an then said "ok."  I asked her what she was "ok"about and she said that she wanted to do it.  After a few more moments of talking and me telling her that I was not telling her that she HAD to ask Jesus into her heart,  she said that she still wanted to do it.  Of course, I cannot be Amy if I didn't continue to talk, so I needed to clarify a few more things and talk a little more.  I wanted to make sure that Madison knew that when she asked Jesus into her heart, that she knew that it was a serious matter and that she was saying that God is HER God and that she would want to follow him and read His Word and obey what He says.  I wanted her to know by doing this, that she was saying that she was a Christian, a Christ follower, and that as she learned more about WHO God is, that her life would be different.  I know- deep theological thoughts that what 6 (almost 7) year old could possibly comprehend, but I felt the importance of saying it.  I was trying to give her just a little glimpse into the significance of what she was saying and doing without REALLY being able to comprehend it at a young age.  Who even really understands it all at an adult age?  After my talking all that time, I thought that she may lose interest; but she didn't.  So eventually I said a prayer with her.  I spoke some words and she repeated them.  I cannot remember the exact words I used but Madison prayed that she was a sinner and that Jesus died for her and that she wanted to learn more and to live her life for God.  In that moment I think I experienced just a fraction of how God feels when his children come home to him.  It was amazing.
After we prayed, I cried and told Madison how happy that I was that she was not only in my "Coleman 5" family, but that she was also in my "Kingdom" family.  We talked about how happy Daddy and Grammy and the Colemans and so many of our family and friends would be since she was now in God's Kingdom.  I think that we may have even talked about the Holy Spirit, but now I can't remember.   It was a wonderful night. 

When Archie came home that night after rock climbing, I told him all about the special evening.  He was just as glad as I was and hugged and celebrated with Madison the next morning.  I don't know if Madison knew how to take the attention with all the hugs and love being poured out upon her, because she started to say "Are you going to hug me too?" with an indifferent tone in her voice whenever somebody congratulated her and told her happy that he/she was.

Since June 15th, I have enjoyed doing more devotionals with Madison and talking with her about her life. I look forward to see how God is going to use my sweet Madison Mae and what God has in store for her  future.  My prayer for her is that she has a moldable and teachable heart and a passion to walk in His ways.  And of course, that she marries a man that loves God with his whole heart along with loving and adoring her, while challenging her along her spiritual journey.