Tongues

Part II - Retreat

During our drive to the retreat center in Pennsylvania, we asked the kids what they were hoping to experience at this retreat. They took a moment and responded with similar statements. "I hope to hear the audible voice of God. I would like to be more on fire for God. To grow in my personal relationship with God." My husband and I gave the silent, "this is what we have been praying for" look as we glanced at each other. We agreed in excitement with our kids, and then I added how I felt like they would receive their heavenly language.

We dropped our trio off and left with more peace knowing they were in good hands. My husband and I prayed for our kiddos on our way home and declared they would have a fresh encounter with God and strengthen their relationship with Him.

Each of the kids texted us through the three-day retreat giving us updates. The texts included how they were making friends, how awesome the message and worship was, how they were touched by the Holy Spirit and cried, and how their tongue started to move without any effort when they were in worship. WHAT?! They received the gift of tongues. Wow! I was so humbled and grateful as I read one testimony after the other about their encounters with the Holy Spirit. I read and reread their testimonies as tears of joy rolled down my face. My husband and I couldn't wait to hear the full details but knew the kids couldn't call us, so we eagerly waited for Sunday to pick them up and hear the specifics.

**Fast forward to the ride home when it was just our party of five in the car.

While enjoying the mouthwatering Korean-inspired lunches that my husband prepared, each child shared their highs. (I didn't ask for the lows because we all know camps always include early wake-up times, no sleep, and not the best food.☺ ) The kids each took their turn to provide a highlight reel of their weekend. The very thing we prayed for, they received! They shared about the growing intimacy they had with Jesus and how unique and special it was. They described how extraordinary it was to receive their heavenly language. (This manifestation may freak some of you out or make you uncomfortable, but our family believes in this tangible gift.) We asked for a play-by-play of what it felt like, how it happened, when, where, etc. My husband and I were hanging on their every word. Even though all three kids were in the same gathering room, they didn't receive it simultaneously, the same way, or in the same language. They didn't even know the other sibling had received it.

After sharing their unique stories, we discussed what we knew of this gift and explained how tongues could be for public or private use. But for now, their gift of tongues (an unknown language) is for their edification. "A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally..." ~I Corinthians 14:4 (NLT). We encouraged them to keep praying in tongues and not let it be a one-time wonder. For example, when we learn a language like Spanish, we have to keep practicing it to become more comfortable and fluent. It's the same with the gift of tongues. Praying in tongues brings us closer to God as we are communing with Him and only Him for Him to understand. (There will be times to pray in tongues in public where someone may have the gift of interpretation.)

This will be an ongoing conversation in our home as we grow in this gift and invite the Holy Spirit for His guidance and wisdom. It was a pretty memorable weekend and one that will be forever etched into our hearts.