It was a night I will never forget. March 27, 2015. But it really began months earlier. Family devotions seemed to perk more questions than her little body could verbalize fast enough. She had to know why. She had to know it all. Right. Then. Every night. She just had to know.

I remember weeks earlier calling it a quits in the middle of a homeschool lesson. She was troubled. Her brow furrowed. She unleashed an hour and a half of question after question. Old Testament. New Testament. She needed answers. Pictures. Explanation.

I came to my women’s Bible Study group begging, “Ladies, this child is grilling me!” Not rebellion. Not frustration. She just couldn’t get enough. She needed to know.

And then it went quiet. And I wondered if that at was it. And she had forgotten.

A few weeks later it began again. More. She needed more.

She started talking more about sin. And it’s results. The bible verses starting to become more than words we repeated. Could it be true for her?

We let her wonder. And wrestle. It’s her walk. It’s her journey. It’s her choice.

Then came the night. We gave our usual hugs and kisses. Three little ladies tucked in to bed tight. But something was wrong. She couldn’t go to bed.

I came into the room and instantly knew she had more questions. He lay at her side in the quiet dark as she led the conversation. Her eyes were searching. Her face was torn. Her heart was wrestling. Could it all be true for her?

I climbed in beside her. And the questions began to be different. She began answering her own questions. He guided her gently through His Everlasting Words. Familiar verses broke light on her face. And yet she just kept repeating, “but my sin, all my sin.” And it was in that moment that we realized He was speaking to her heart. Her guilt lay open, bear on her mind. She could not avoid it. And her only question, “How are you sure that you’re saved?”

Acts 16:31 “Believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” That’s it, Rachael. You just believe. There’s no fanfare. No audible voice. You just believe and then God does the rest.

Light hit her face. “I want to pray” she said with clarity.

She said a simple prayer. Acknowledging her belief in Jesus, agreement that her sins separate her from God, and her desire for Jesus to be her leader and guide as Lord of her life. Simple. True. Sincerity. And then that smile. That calm. That peace. That joy.

The next morning she couldn’t wait to tell her sisters. She even began encouraging Abi to trust in Jesus for herself. She shared the news over the phone and in person. It is HER story. Her new life..

And since then she has been hungry for the Word. Her questions haven’t ended. I mean, this is Rachael we’re talking about, dear ones. She is a THINKER! But there is this peace. This PEACE that has taken hold of her. She doesn’t fret about knowing anymore. She knows! And she is not afraid. Not afraid to take big steps because she knows Jesus is worth it. She knows it for herself.

She is His.

And He is hers.

And just like that through her beautifully sincere surrender she has become my sister. The most wonderful little sister I could ever have.

• Unspeakable Grace.

*** I received Rachael’s permission to share this in respect for it being her story and not my own. She agreed with a big smile. Love that little girl so!