Two wonderful women have been in my heart and prayers this week: My mother who had a hysterectomy on Monday, and my mother-in-law who Sunday night told my husband that she's been thinking a lot about becoming a Christian (something we've been praying about for a LONG time).
Yesterday I spent a long, but wonderful day, with both these women. I drove an hour and a half to spend time with my mom in the hospital, helping her with simple every-day tasks she isn't yet able to do by herself and keeping my dad company. It was wonderful to see the improvements she made in the five hours I was there. Her spirits were high and we had some very good conversations. It was nice to see the answered prayers for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery. She'll see the Dr. today, and Lord willing go home this afternoon.
When I arrived home my husband had already been over at his mom's for about an hour and a half studying the Bible with her, specifically salvation and life as a disciple of Christ. I joined them and we studied for another hour and a half. She had been coming to worship services with us every Sunday morning (and a few other times, too) since February/March. She had heard (John 5:24, Acts 2:22, 33, 37, Romans 10:17) the gospel, and believed (Mark 16:16, John 1:12, John 3:14-18, 36, John 5:24, Hebrews 11:6) the Bible is the Word of God, that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to this world to die for our sins, and that her soul was not right with God. In the those three hours Ryan taught her about the commands for repentance (Luke 13:3, Luke 24:46,47, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30, 2 Peter 3:9, confession (Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8, Acts 8:35-37), and baptism (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, 41, Acts 10:48, 1 Peter 3:21). As we were preparing to leave she expressed that she wanted to be baptized! So, we drove to the building and Ryan baptized his mother by the authority of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit for the remission of her sins. What an amazing evening! When she came up out of the water, a new creature with no sins upon her, she and Ryan hugged and we all cried tears of joy.
It was wonderful to see the joy and relief in her heart, knowing she made the best decision she can ever make and feeling the weight of her sins removed completely from her. Praying she will grow and mature in her walk as a follower of Christ and that we will know what to do to help her remain faithful as long as God grants her life so that she may inherit eternal life (Revelation 2:10).
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