A New Creation

A month ago, over a lunch of PB&J, Goldfish crackers and grapes, Henry asked Jesus into his heart . It was a sweet, sincere and powerful moment. It really started weeks before with questions like "How does God fits in our heart?" and "Do we feel safer when he's there?" During lunch on this particularly sunny day (rare for the wet weather we've experienced this spring) we were talking about all the wonderful gifts God has given us. Adam shared that his favorite gift was his family. Henry shared that his favorite gift was God and asked how he could ask Him into his heart. We prayed a simple, sweet prayer and with the faith of a child a new heart was created in my 5 year old little boy. He instantly wanted to help me around the house, share his toys selflessly with Adam, feed Claire and clean up after himself without whining. In my heart of hearts I knew I was witnessing a heart being molded into the image of Christ.

And then this morning, over a breakfast of cereal and O.J, he drew me these pictures ...



"Momma With a Big Butt"  by Henry Barron



"Adam Going Poop on the Potty" by Henry Barron

... and in a (hilarious) instant I was reminded that the process of becoming like Christ is a lifelong process muddled by our humanness. And made beautiful by God's forgiveness. Thank you Henry Thomas Barron for always keeping me humble. And prayerful. And on the verge of insanity.

(In all seriousness, the moment Henry asked Jesus into his heart was one of the most amazing parenting moments I've experienced. Matt and I celebrated Henry's choice by taking just him to breakfast and giving him a book. We continue to tell him how we see him changing by being more patient, kind and loving with his siblings. I wrote down the date (March 12th, 2012) and we plan to celebrate his "Spiritual Birthday" every year with the gift of a small book or devotional and by selecting and memorizing a new bible verse each year that we hope will be symbolic of his spiritual growth for that particular year.)