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Monday, February 7, 2011

Growing with a missionary heart


This month's theme for Marriage Monday hosted by e-Mom of Chrysalis is on Christian Testimony or any salvation story. I gave this topic a long thought but finally, let me share the heart-warming story of my 13-year old daughter, who is growing with a missionary heart. It's a story of how she shared her faith to her classmate whom she lost her temper with but had him baptize just last week.

My daughter has been a student leader since her elementary days. Assigned to be a leader in a group presentation for UN Day a few months back, she expected all her members to cooperate. But her leadership was challenged by one boy who never practiced his part for the presentation she assigned him. And on the day of the event, my poor leader daughter had to go around to look for this boy because he did not show up at the place where they were supposed to meet. There she found him in an Internet cafe not minding her as he was so busy playing games. When she asked him where his costume was, she got so annoyed with his answer: " I forgot it!". My daughter was unable to control her temper so she hit him on the head. The boy was more than embarrassed than hurt but the report went up to their teacher. I was told of this incident and I did not tolerate such violence my daughter was capable of inflicting to others. I told her that I did understand how upsetting the situation she handled but she doesn't have the right to lay her hand on anyone. And she got the message clear so she begged for pardon from the one she hit. She confessed that she was really deeply sorry for what she had done and promised never to do it again. She admitted that she felt so guilty of what she had done and she felt sad that she made Jesus unhappy with her bad temper.

Last week, she sent us an SMS: Mom & dad, I have convinced 1 soul to be baptized tomorrow. I gave him pamphlets about Jesus and lent him my Bible. I assigned him what he should read & told him stories about Jesus. Guess who the guy is? The 1 I hit last year.

I hugged my husband as tears were rolling down my cheeks. How could my daughter at her very young age minister to others by her own sincere asking for forgiveness, her  repentance, her willingness to change and to share the gospel? What about me? Her story has encouraged me to be more humble and accept responsibility for others to see Jesus in me.

Like my daughter, I want to share to others how Jesus Christ can transform us from our sinful nature. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us," Psalms 103:12. We cannot effectively minister to others unless we ourselves, as Christ's witnesses, don't make our character fit for His kingdom and it is good to start our  ministry within our very own family especially with our dear children. I would say that I just did not inherit the faith my parents had passed on to me without questioning, careful study and observation. I saw with my two eyes how they have lived their Christian life with unwavering faith and that is what I'm trying to pass on to my kids as well by God's help. May God continue to reform me, bless me and strengthen me.

Check out more inspiring salvation stories at Chrysalis:







19 comments:

JonaBQ said...

it'll be so much joy when my sons would finally decide to be baptized when they're on the right age. it's our ultimate dream. your parents must have been so thrilled when you decided to follow Jesus too. And passing on that faith to your children, wow! i admire you Nice! :D
thanks for dropping by on my entry!
<a href="http://www.heartifying.com/2011/02/07/how-did-i-find-my-first-love/ ‎”>my Marriage Monday</a>

Miriam Pauline said...

How wonderful that your daughter allowed that moment last year to change her. Her example of repentence may have been the strongest gospel message that could be presented to the young man. Bless her for her willingness to share...and thank you for sharing her story.

Julie Arduini said...

I have tears. This is beautiful. If we only had two words to share Christ it would be love and grace. Your daughter's story is full of both. I know great plans for His glory are just beginning for her. Thank you for this wonderful post.

Dawn said...

What a *wonderful* story - thank you! What an amazing child of the Lord you have! Blessings! Stopping by from Marriage Monday.

nice A said...

@Jona, know what? We were not with our 2 kids when they decided to be baptized. We should have wanted to be on this special event in their life but they convinced us by quoting a Bible verse: If anyone believes but not baptized will not be saved.
With your constant guidance, time will come that your kids will decide to be baptized on their own. Just wait for the right time, God's perfect time.

nice A said...

@Miriam, true, her repentance made a big impact to the conversion of her friend. God uses even the bad situations in our lives to minister to others. Thanks so much for coming here. I'll go read your MM post as well.

@Julie, to God be the glory for showing us His immeasurable love and grace. Thanks for your very encouraging comment.

nice A said...

@Guiding Light, thank you so much. I'll go read your post as well and be blessed for sure.

Mac an Rothaich said...

It is a wonderful and powerful thing when a child realizes they can change their behavior for the good, in Christ, harder for us adults with our old ruts but still so wonderful to see God given change in a heart.

Susannah said...

Oh my goodness... what a precious (and dramatic) story! You had me sitting here with my mouth wide open, then giggling, then shaking my head in amazement.

God is SO good. Thank you for joining us for Marriage Monday today NiceA.

Blessings!

e-Mom ღ

nice A said...

@Guiding Light, Mac an and e-Mom, God is SO good, indeed.
I really love this meme because I get the chance to reflect over my Christian life.
@e-Mom, there are times that I think of just to forget blogging but I love this community of thinking Christian women sharing their thoughts and experiences.

tonya said...

Thanks for sharing your story. What a sweet testimony of your daughter. :)

nice A said...

@tonya, you're welcome and thank you for stopping by. I have read your testimony and I was sooo touched by it. I'm one of those blessed by your post.

nice A said...

@Denise, thanks for stopping by. Your story is very inspiring, too.

kimmy said...

that's a very inspiring story...

nice A said...

@Kimmy, thanks a lot, sis.

Jemina said...

Ate Eunice, that's really awesome! My little JD is growing up in the right path. I feel as excited and emotional as you are. I really think putting them to NLAC was the best decision you've ever made for your kids. I know because I studied there.
Anyway, sorry I hadn't left a comment sooner than I had to. Nevertheless, this story brought so much joy and warmth to my heart. God bless

nice A said...

@Jemina, thanks so much for your very nice comment.
It's really hard for the kids to leave their school but they need to learn life's reality and be flexible with changes.
God bless you, too.

jinky said...

very inspiring indeed....miss you ms a! yeah, naglisud jud ko open ani imo blog several times . . ..

nice A said...

@jinky, thanks for being able get through here. miss you, too, dear. musta na?

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