When Children lead

Aileen Appley will thrill you with her wonderful God story. I’m so glad she took the plunge.

This is my first time writing a devotional, but I felt compelled to share how I came to know Jesus through my son, Jared.

I grew up Catholic and went to church every Sunday. I always believed in Jesus and knew He was real, but how I truly came to know Him is a different story.

My son began going to Journey Church with his dad every week. As he got older and was able to drive, he continued going on his own. One day I decided I needed to see what was happening there that made my son want to go so faithfully—even when he didn’t have to. So I started attending Journey because of Jared.

It wasn’t until I heard Candi preach that something inside me stirred. After the service, I approached her and told her how much her sermon touched me. It felt as though she was speaking directly to my heart. After that, I kept going to church with Jared.

One evening at Journey, Candi tapped me on the shoulder, gave me her number, and told me that if I ever wanted to talk about Jesus, I could call her. So I did. We began meeting weekly, and I asked her so many questions. As I continued going to church with Jared, I felt like the Holy Spirit was working in me. I was beginning to truly know Jesus.

During a particularly difficult time in my life, I cried out to Jesus to help me. I begged Him to be with me. I was sitting in my car at the time when something incredible happened. Two songs came on the radio at that exact moment. The first was “I Would Die for You” by Prince, and the second was “Trust in Me” by Etta James. It was a profound moment. Without writing out the lyrics here, I encourage you to look them up and read the words. It felt as though Jesus was speaking directly to me through those songs.

That was the moment I knew Jesus had heard my cries and that He was with me.

Since that day, I have prayed to Jesus every day, thanking Him for being in my life. This past July, Jared and I were baptized together. Pastor Candi baptized me, and I was the first person she baptized as a pastor. Jared and Candi both held my hands as I took that walk to Jesus.

I thank God every day in my prayers for my beautiful son, Jared. Jared brought me to Jesus, and now I truly know Him.

As parents, we are meant to teach our children. But through God, sometimes our children are the ones who teach us.

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” — 

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Make it a Fabulous Friday! God is good…