Forgiveness does bring Freedom

I had the most wonderful experience with Abbie this afternoon. She had been waiting several hours to talk to me and then she just couldn't take it anymore and with tears streaming down her face she said "Mommy, I really need to tell you something that happened." I braced myself and let her have the floor. She began sharing with me how she's been feeling different since she asked Jesus in her heart and she gets this wierd feeling when she isn't making good decisions. She then went on to tell me a story about what she's been going through all on her own for the last few nights at bedtime. I would like to share her words with all of you. It brought tears to my eyes and later her daddy's and yet reminded me of why what we are doing in training our children up in the ways of the Lord is the only way to go.

Abbie:

"Mommy at night when I lay down to sleep I get this sick feeling in my heart because I can't stop thinking about a lie I told. I know I'm not suppose to tell a lie and it was a really long time ago, but I can't stop thinking about how bad it was to do it. I can only remember this lie because its the only lie I remember that I told to you and daddy. I just kept crying last night in my bed and my heart felt weird. So, I just prayed to Jesus and said Jesus, I'm a sinner and I need your forgiveness."

Well ladies, my eyes were filled with tears. Of coarse I had to ask what the lie was and it had to do with a fight between her and her brother 3 months ago!!! We discussed the consequences of telling a fib and she has only had to suffer those consequences a couple of times, but it has been well over a year. I asked her if she had told me any other lies and she replied with "noway and I'm not going to tell anymore because I don't like feeling Jesus is hurt." We discussed the purpose of the HolySpirit in our lives, more about what conviction is, and what forgiveness brings........FREEDOM. I asked her how she felt after she prayed that prayer to Jesus and she said "my tears stopped and I went right to sleep." I have to say that I felt and Jeff felt that there would be no need for the punishment we would normally give because the Lord's discipline was far greater in this circumstance. She had been dealing with this in her time of sleep since last Friday night.
I am thankful for this moment. I know the Lord is growing and molding our children and it is touching to be reminded that he's capable of reaching anyone no matter their age. I believe this is just the beginning of Abbie finding out what it's like to have a true relationship with the Lord. She is walking in freedom tonight by the way!

Our Abbie Doobie

Now she is 7........................................hmmmmmmmmmm. It does make me want to cry.
Where has the time gone? I'm not quite sure but one thing I know is that this little girl is loved by many and I'm thankful that she was our gift to take care of and cherish. There are so many things I could say about our little Abbie Rae. I guess I first would say that I know she was our example of God's miracle. She was not suppose to be created in me, but she was and I remember very vividly the first sound of her heartbeat and the very first kick. I remember the very moment the ultrasound tech looked at us and said "it's a girl" and Jeff's eyes were as big as golf balls. Whatever would he do with a girl??? Well, he and I soon found out that we would not be able to get enough of her. She is miss independent, the gardening princess of our family, the shy one, the easily embarrassed one, the one we still have to hold down to kiss and hug because it's just not quite her thing, the one who say's "no, I'll read to you mommy," the only girl I know that could take down any boy that tries to beat her up (thanks to her brother), the one who would have a friend over everyday if we let her, and the one who prefers to get down right filthy outside no matter how many times I say not to play in the mud. It is fun to watch her grow and learn and turn into her own little person. I won't lie and say she's always wonderful because I'd be fibbing. She has her moments when correction must be in order. However, she is ours and she is special and we are thankful to be able to teach her the ways that are good and true.

She has been praying fervently for an American Girl doll for a year. The Lord did answer her prayer and the picture I posted of her is with her new friend Melissa. Melissa is 7 years old as well and was introduced to all of her friends and their dolls at a American Girl tea party on her birthday. She was happy to share this moment with her friends and I think somewhat overwhelmed. One of her favorite gifts from her party was a set of Pajamas from Stephanie and Olivia that had a monkey on it that looked just like her monkey Nienie that she has been sleeping with since she was 6 months old. She's slept in those pajamas everynight since her birthday. It's time for a washing!!