How's That for a Conversation Starter?

Caleb, our 18 year old son, walked in for dinner a few days ago and asked me, "Why did God create Lucifer?" He went on to explain his thoughts. "Some people would argue that because He chose to create Lucifer, in effect, He created evil. But, then you have to ask yourself if there was not evil, could there be Good? Just like there isn't really any such thing as darkness, it's just the absence of light." 

Just chit chat, right?

Caleb has always had a special heart. When we found out we were expecting number 3, I was pretty much overwhelmed. Our first two, Hannah and Mackenzy, were very, very difficult babies. (I do adore you, girls) I wondered if I could do it. I remember praying for the new baby to be healthy and praying for this one to be calm. I think the Lord knew it was time for Caleb. I remember feeling very strongly late in the pregnancy that his middle name was supposed to be Christopher (Christ Bearer) instead of Kregg's middle name, Alan, as we had planned.

As he was growing up, he was burdened with a need for personal holiness. I know that sounds odd, but he was compelled to keep his conscience clear. He would come and "confess" anytime he felt he had done something wrong. When he was about five (I have mentioned this before) he told me he believed he would probably die as a martyr in China. Now it must sound like all I read to him as bedtime stories was Foxe's Book of Martyrs. But that was not at all the case. He came to us from the Lord like this.

Things changed during his teenage years. At first, it wasn't anything alarming. But, there was just a difference in his spirit. He seemed to be adrift. His anchor had pulled free and he lost his bearings. He grew moody and sensitive. He was struggling with personal holiness. He, who had always been an open book, withdrew. Kregg and I talked and prayed and wondered what had happened. What had changed? Had we missed something? 


Caleb had been specially gifted by the Lord, but he had never really been tested, tempted, or tried. It was hard to watch. It was hard not to be afraid for him. He stumbled and fell, he still does. But it was necessary for his faith to be hardened through testing. He had to come to the point where what he knew in his heart became real for him in life, in his day-to-day walk. It had to become his worldview, his lens through which he sees the world, and his place in it. 


What he knew had to become who he was. Who he is.

He came through to the other side and is now truly himself again. But better. More mature. Filled with the power of the Spirit. He is, once again, an open book. His heart is transparent. What you see is what you get. He is so filled with Joy. He is so much fun to be around! He is consumed by the Lord. He hungers and thirsts for Him day and night. I awoke early the other day to find him on his face in the den. He was just spending time with the Lord. He is spending hours in the Word. Studying the original languages. Wanting to know Truth. 

For Christmas, his entire list was books. He is hungry to see the sanctification process of great men of God, so he asked for biographies. Hudson Taylor, John Newton, William Wilberforce. 

I am in awe.

In awe of the Lord's Mighty Hand on my son. Our son. Our precious little boy who was called early to be holy before His God. Who is growing up to be a man who chases hard after God. A man who understands the schemes of the evil one and how he is bent on destruction. A man who knows he is completely unable to stand on his own, but in the Lord, he can stand.

He is at the One Thing Conference right now, in Kansas City. He gathered up a group of like-minded young men. They loaded up my old 1999 Suburban and left on Monday morning to travel almost 800 miles each way. Because they are seeking His Face. There are 20,000+ young people there this week worshiping and seeking His Face. That should get you excited! The Lord is preparing His Army to do His bidding.

He texted me this morning to say this:
"Guess who Mike Bickle's (the lead pastor at the conference) favorite biography was as he was growing up?" (I expanded the "text language" a little)

It was Hudson Taylor! My favorite biography of all time, and next to the Bible the most important book I have ever read. And guess what the overall message was that I received from reading that biography? The importance of personal holiness.

He is not perfect. He still stumbles and falls. But, his spirit is so humble before the Lord that I am no longer afraid for him. Yes, he will still mess it up at times. But, I just keep praying, as we have for years and years, that he will hunger and thirst for the Lord. 

It is such an amazing gift to be his mother. As it is with each one of our children. 

I don't want this testimony to be, in any way, discouraging to anyone. The Lord has done this. Is doing this. He has such rich blessings and purposes for each of our children. 

Believe it for your child, your children!

Speak blessings over them! Daily. 

Pray for them without ceasing! As you go about your day, pray.

Ask the Lord to stir up an insatiable hunger in their spirits that nothing but Him can satisfy!

Ask the Lord to build a hedge of protection around them so that no one of evil influence will be able to deceive them. 

If they are in a dark place right now, ask the Lord to bring them to the end of themselves, no matter how hard it is, so that they will look up into His Face. So that they can see He is the answer to all their questions, all their longings. 

Pray for their future spouses, if the Lord calls them to marriage. Pray that that person will receive everything the Lord has for them, too. (It's so precious. There are already parents lobbying to have Caleb as their future son-in-law. :)

It's never too early to start praying for them. And it's never too late!! He is Able. He is Sufficient. He has Plans for them. Be bold in your petitions for your children. Ask Him to fill them to overflowing with His Spirit, His Power, Himself. 

Don't stop. Ever!