baby steps through China

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. -1 John 5:18-20

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Boy 3 is inexplicably infatuated with China. God Himself must have planted this love in him, because we haven’t exposed him to much Chinese culture in our life here in Austin.

We marveled at Boy 3’s toughness and resolve as a toddler.

“He will either be a soldier or a missionary to China,” I used to say.

Last year, a love for China blossomed all on its own in his heart, after hearing about missionaries to the nations.

Now six, he devours any and all information presented to him regarding China.

I see God’s love for this beautiful nation in my son.

I have begun reading a book about China, its history, and the biography of three generations of Chinese women raised there in the midst of massive cultural and political upheaval.

I want to love China with my son, so I am learning all I can, too.

I push aside nausea that rises up when I read of abandoned babies, trapped women, and bound feet.

I push aside fear when I wonder if this son I carried will follow Love to China someday. Is this the beginning of a path to his destiny?

We won’t know for many years.

But for now, China is an opportunity to love what God and my son love. It is a doorway to connecting with him about something he feels belongs to him, deep inside his soul.

I don’t know what evil my children will face in their lifetimes. I hope it is tame as a kitty-cat.

But these children of mine may face dragons one day.

And so we weave the gospel into our days, because only the gospel will help them on that day.

We point to the evil in our own hearts and lead them slowly though the message of grace and forgiveness.

And we tell them that to live free from sin is the dream of God’s heart for all of us.

We all have a great deal to learn and much to overcome, but it is a beginning on a road that leads into the misty future.

Perhaps we will see China together one day.

Certainly, we will all see Jesus one day.

Today, we take small steps together toward both of those dreams.

All through the love of China.