Taken at Five

Seventeen years ago, when I was five years of age, on a hot, humid night in northern Arkansas, I got engaged!

....Okay, I know you must be thinking "um....come again?" You're waiting for the punch-line, aren't you? Okay, well, to clear the air, I was not betrothed to a little boy at the age of five. So you can sleep well now. No, this engagement was a bit different than your everyday "down-on-one-knee-with-a-diamond" kind of thing. No, at the tender age of five, I became engaged to my heavenly Prince. Pssst! His name is Jesus. :)



If you read my last post, you'll know that this blog is all about my relationship with my Prince Jesus and how every detail of our earthly lives is a beautiful picture of our spirital life as well. Well, I'd like to share with you the night I became taken. :) The night I said a joyful "YES!" to Jesus. In other words, this is my testimony! ;)

As I mentioned before, it was a hot, humid, August night. My family and I, who travel and sing, were conducting a revival in the northern part of Arkansas. Growing up in a family who sing about Jesus, preach about Jesus, talk about Jesus, read books about Jesus, watch movies about Jesus, and dedicate their lives telling others about Jesus.....it's bound to stick. :) I grew up knowing and telling Bible verses and Bible stories as early as a year and a half old. So by the age of five, I knew the sweet story of Jesus coming to this earth at Christmastime as a little baby, who grew up and never disobeyed his Mom or Dad (that was slightly shocking to my childlike brain), who did many miracles, and finally, for no reason, was put to death by his own countrymen. I used to get angry when I thought of those mean soldiers nailing my Jesus to a cross. As the days and months went by, the gospel story burned in my heart. And as I learned more, I was amazed. Jesus died for me? He came and died because I didn't clean my room when Mom told me to? He had to die because I did something wrong? It pierced my heart. He died so I wouldn't have to? He died so I could go to Heaven? Little by little, this precious love story worked its way into my five year old heart.

So on this particular night, during the revival services, I knew the time had come to truly thank God for what He did for me; to apologize for all the times I did something wrong and hurt him; to pledge my life and heart to Him, to live for Him forever. Later that night, at the foot of a bed, with my Dad and my Mom, I asked Jesus to come into my heart and save me.

So what does that have to do with being engaged? Think about it.

When you're twenty-two and your handsome fella comes to you, kneels down, presents you with a ring, and asks you to be his forever, and when you are swept away by his love, and you say "Yes!" then you are engaged! :) Congratulations. :) ;)

And likewise, when you're five years old and the King of all creation comes down to this earth, presents you with His body and blood - a sacrifice of Himself - and asks if you will accept Him, love Him, serve Him, and live for Him forever, and you are amazed at the depth of His great love, say "YES!!" ....then YOU, my friend, are engaged as well.

Earthly engagement is lovely but spiritual engagement? That's pure bliss! I hope, if you have not yet said "YES!" to this Heavenly Prince I speak about, then you will do so soon. Believe you me, it's a love story that is quite amazing.