Dear Son: Where I've come from

Dear Son,

I want to start these letter by telling a piece of my story, how I became a Christian.  Sometimes as parents we forget to tell our kids "our story" which we should't because it is important.  By me telling you my story maybe you can learn valuable lessons sooner than I did.

I asked Jesus into my heart when I was 3.  I don't really remember it.  I only remember sitting on the edge of my mom's bed and telling her I wanted to go to heaven.  I guess my mom talked to me and we "prayed the prayer".

As a child and teenager I placed way too much emphasis on the "prayed the prayer" part.  I kind just figured well I asked Jesus into my heart now I'm saved and I just continued on my christian life.  I grew up in a christian family, I was taught how a christian should act and so I just kept on living as a christian (so I thought).  Growing up in a christian family is a blessing but also allows you to overlook a lot.

I was taught how to live and how to do right from wrong.  I lived a pretty straight path (of course still making mistakes) but I always looked at those around me and thought, "wow they do way worse things than me, I'm really not that bad".

I felt that way for a long time......I mean a long time until one day in my early adulthood I realized.....I'm not suppose to compare myself to others I should be comparing myself to Jesus.   WOW!

It hit me then that I took for granted being a christian.  I knew all my life being "good" or "not that bad" was not what got you into heaven.  You know, "for the wages of sin is death" but the GIFT of God is eternal life" or how about "It is not by WORKS so that no man can boast but is the GIFT of God." I knew all this stuff why was I just now thinking about this.  No one is good enough to get into heaven that is why we need Jesus.

If you need to be perfect to get into heaven I will never be that.  It is only by the grace that Jesus showed us on the cross that can wipe away all our sin to make a way for us to get to heaven.

I know you know this.  You have also "prayed that prayer" as a young child and are growing up in  a Christian home,  but I just want to challenge you to think about what Jesus did for you more than I did.

Don't ever just assume you are a christian because you were raised in a christian home and your mom and dad are christians and you live a good "christian" life.

Accepting Jesus is a personal thing.  It needs to be your religion not just the religion your grow up with.  Becoming a christian isn't just praying the prayer it is living a life for Jesus and having a relationship with him ALL throughout your life.


Love you,
Mom

P.S. Tomorrow I promise to go lighter maybe we will talk about B.O. and personal hygiene :)