I've been pretty much in ongoing praise since last night thanking God last night for answering our prayer to save Cotter. We've, as I mentioned before, prayed for his salvation ever since we knew he'd be a part of our family. My prayer has literally been, "Lord, please bring Cotter to salvation at a young age, so that he may live a long life of faith, knowing you and making you known."
This morning I read a great quote found in the book Prayerwalking:
I sit in humble awe that God would provide to us salvation. Last night, Cotter fell asleep wearing the biggest smile I have ever seen upon his face. This came after a wonderful conversation that will forever be one of the most precious of my life:
Cotter: What will I be in heaven? Me: What do you mean? Cotter: Will I be little, or grown up? Me: I'm not sure...you'll just 'be.' Cotter: I'll just be "Cotter?" Me: Right. Cotter: Cool....Will I be able to play catch with Jesus? Me: I'm sure He will be thrilled to play catch with you. Cotter: I'll want to be the Broncos. He can be the Jaguars. Me: Will you let me play, too? Cotter: Of course. You can be on my team....Daddy, is there a rainbow in heaven? Me: The Bible says there is. Cotter: Cool! What else is there in heaven? Me: Well, The Bible says that there's a giant tree in the middle of heaven, and a beautiful river that flows right through heaven. The streets are made of gold...It's always bright and sunny...There's no more nighttime, and you never get tired and you never go to sleep. And you are never sad. Cotter: Can I climb the tree? Me: You'd probably be able to do all the tree-climbing that you'll want to. Cotter: I love to climb trees. Me: And you'll get to live in a mansion... Cotter: What's a mansion? Me: It's a big, huge house that Jesus is making just for you! Cotter: Is it bigger than our house? Me: A lot bigger. Cotter: Like a hundred and sixty times bigger? Me: I don't know, but it's a lot bigger. Cotter: Heaven sure sounds cool. Me: Doesn't it? I'm so glad we get to be there together... Cotter: Me, too, Daddy. And Mommy and Kaylyn, too. And someday Kelsi will pray like I did tonight, and she'll get to go to heaven, too. Me: That's our prayer, buddy. It's time for sleep....
And as my son rolled to his stomach so I could have the privilege of scratching his back to induce slumber, I prayed a new prayer for him:
Lord, thank you for saving Cotter. Thank you for hearing my prayer. Lord, I'd ask now that you'd protect him from the enemy, protect him from the temptations of the world. Give him knowledge, discernment, and understanding that can only come from You. Use Him however you see fit to bring glory to yourself. Give me the strength to be satisfied and submissive to Your will in His life, and keep me from getting in the way of his spiritual growth. Help me be a father worthy of a son who belongs to You. Set him apart to be a boy and then a man who influences others, who impacts the culture and who radiates your love and truth to this lost and dying world. Please don't let Cotter settle for anything less than your will, your plan. Keep him from compromise, so that You would be lifted up, through his faithfulness. Thank you for the miracle of redemption. Praise Your Name!
February 25, 2004 11:08 AM