Yesterday, in homeschool, we read a touching story from our book Stories from Africa about a little girl named Titi, who was able to sing in the midst of suffering because she gave her heart to Jesus.

Tears came to my eyes as I read this story while I’m also reading the stories written by bloggers on a trip to Kenya of orphans in Africa who are finding hope through the work of Compassion International.

In the end, this little girl’s faith helped others to discover their need for a relationship with Jesus and they also gave their hearts to Him.

When we finished reading the story yesterday, EA looked at me and in the most serious tone said, “Mommy, I don’t want to give my heart to Jesus…”

To say that this was not the reaction I would have hoped for at the end of such a compelling story of faith would be an understatement. I just looked at EA as she continued on with, “…because I want to keep my own heart“.

I can see how the thought of giving your heart away could be scary to a five-year old little girl who takes so many things so very literally.

And at the same time I see that there are many older people who haven’t given their heart to Jesus for the very same reason….they want to keep their own heart that is full of selfishness and sin.

I tried to gently explain to my daughter that giving your heart to Jesus doesn’t meant that you don’t actually have your heart anymore.

That when you give your heart to Jesus, he gives you a new, heart that is much better than your old one.

That He even comes to live inside your new heart and is with you always.

To be your friend.

MC piped in with, “No! Jesus is in heaven, Mommy!”

I answered, “Yes, He is in heaven, but his spirit also comes to live in your heart when you give it to Him.”

To further ease EA’s fear over giving her heart away, I told her that when Mommy was a girl, that I gave my heart to Jesus like the little girl in her story.

I didn’t do this to persuade her into making a decision that she isn’t ready for, but to simply ease a fear.

And she replied with, “Okay, Mommy, I can give my heart to Jesus just like you.”

It is my prayer that my children will follow Jesus, that they will love Him and grow in His love, that they will give their hearts to Him.

But I also never want to pressure into making that kind of decision before they are ready and before they understand what it means.

I told EA that it was wonderful that she would do that but she can wait until she is ready to giver her heart to Jesus. I told her that she would know when she was ready and she can let Mommy know when she’s ready to give her heart to Jesus like Mommy did and like Titi did in her story.

She said, “Okay Mommy, I’ll tell you. I don’t think I’m ready to give my heart to Jesus yet.”

And MC piped in with, “Well, I’m ready for a snack break!”

Do you ever feel completely insufficient and inadequate to answer the simple questions your children have about God?

I love being able to share God’s love with my children.

I love to watch their minds try to grasp an understanding of who God is, of His love, of His ways.

I love to watch them grow in their love for Him and His word.

It is my biggest prayer that I can be of use to God in sharing my love for Him and my faith in Him with my children, the children He has blessed me with so abundantly and who I love so dearly.

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