Changed Hearts Soften Hearts

Our house experienced a milestone this week. My oldest daughter decided, at 6 years-old, that she wanted a new heart and asked Jesus to save her.

So you know, I am one of those people who is generally wary of rushing kids into decisions. I assure you, this was not rushed. She started asking really serious questions over a year ago. A few months ago, she insisted that she should get baptized. I’ve held her back, continued to ask questions, and made sure that she completely understood what she said she believed, why that was, and what it would mean for her going foward.

This week I couldn’t hold her back any longer. She got it. So, we went to her bedroom to pray. I asked if she wanted me to help her pray but she insisted that she express her faith herself. She prayed the most simple, beautiful, child-like prayer asking for a new heart and committed herself to Jesus.

Yes, there were tears.

Her joy since then has been contagious. Her mom and I have talked about how something in her is clearly different. It’s really been amazing.

And convicting.

I work in campus ministry at a primarily professional-level school. We don’t often see students make professions of faith. Honestly, I had started to wonder if I was the problem. Nothing ever seemed to work the way I intended. We never really saw students quite get to that point of deciding to follow Jesus. My heart grew cold.

Now, I hear the joy in my little girl’s voice as she talks about how she perceives Jesus to have changed her heart. “I just feel so much more love.” “I feel a different kind of happy.” “Dad, I’m God’s child.”

It’s enough to melt a cold heart.