Sunday was a happy day in the Thornton family, after months of asking questions Sophia went forward after the morning service at IBC, to accept Jesus Christ as her Savior!! PTL!!
Later that evening, I was sitting on the front porch of my parents house with Sophia and Ayana. Ayana was busy reading books to Raspberry and Rainbow Sunshine - her two favorite stuffed animals. I began to talk to Sophia about the decision she had made. Making sure she did completely understand her decision I asked, "Sophia - now that you asked Jesus to be your Savior, what does that mean?" She responded, "It means I get to go to Heaven!" Ayana quickly turned her head and the conversation went as follows:
Ayana: "Sophie, you get to go to Heaven?" (in a some what jealous voice)
Sophia: "Yes!"
Ayana: "That means you will get to see Bert. Bert is in Heaven. I want to see Bert. I want to go to Heaven."
Sophia: "Well then you need to ask Jesus to come into your heart, Ayana."
Ayana then looked at Sophia with a somewhat confused look on her face...the normal response of a four year old to that subject matter.
Ayana: (in a determined voice) "I miss Bert and I want to see her. I want to go to Heaven."
Ayana then walked off the porch.
I asked where she was going. She pointed to the sky and said, "I'm going to go to Heaven to see Bert." Then walked down the sidewalk with a look of determination on her little face.
Ahh...the innocence of a child, makes me smile and often makes me giggle or laugh!
I love that Sophia was so quick to respond with how someone can get to Heaven, I pray that continues. Especially as she shares her news with her Dad, his family and her friends at school.
I love that Ayana still remembers Bert (Ayana speaks OFTEN about Bert and missing her), even though Bert hasn't been with us for almost a year. I love her desire to go to Heaven - even if it isn't for the reason of wanting to avoid Hell, at least in her 4 year old mind she knows what Heaven is and that it is a place she wants to go. I pray that this desire remains and that she too will one day proclaim Jesus as her one and only way to Heaven.
