In Mark 5:41, Jesus raises a little girl from the dead with the words of command in Aramaic, “Talitha cumi,” which as Mark explains, means, “Little girl, arise.” “Talitha” means “little girl.” As far as my wife and I were concerned, there was no doubt or hesitation as to the name of our “little girl” when we found out we were going to have a daughter. (There was some debate on her middle name, but that is another story!)

Talitha Summer Owens was born on September 26, 2003. Immediately, two things occurred. First, she became “Daddy’s little girl.” Second, just as the little girl in Mark 5 heard Jesus say “Talitha, arise,” we began praying for the day when Jesus would call out to our little girl, “Talitha, arise!” We began preparing her and anxiously awaiting the day that the Lord would call her from death in trespasses and sins to new life in Christ!

Talitha Summer Owens was born again on November 12, 2010! Summer and I had the awesome opportunity to watch the initiation, progression, and consummation of her new life unfold!!!!!!!!!

There were several indicators along the way that help my wife and I discern the Lord’s work in her heart.

First, she initiated Gospel conversations and would not let them go! Her probing questions began on Wednesday during homeschool. She wanted to know what it meant to have a new heart, and she wanted one. Then she asked me about a new heart and being saved on Wed, Thu, and Fri nights. Each time, I either explained the concepts or read Scripture with her. I would then ask her questions to make sure she understood our conversation, her situation before the Lord as a sinner, and the Lord’s provision for her salvation.

Second, she, totally on her own initiative, began to pray and ask the Lord for a new heart! As her parents, those were awesome words to hear! (That she wanted a new heart and was asking for one, by the way, is the best indication that God was indeed giving her a new heart!)

Third, friday evening as I put her to bed, she would simply not be satisfied until she knew she was saved. Once again, we went over sin, salvation, and the Savior. She prayed to Jesus, and then I led her in prayer. She cried, we hugged, and she was now satisfied! It was incredible!

Fourth, my wife and I have observed immediate fruit. All day Saturday she repeated over and over, “I am so happy!” Overflowing joy is a fruit of salvation. Also, she wanted to tell family and friends. So we began to make phone calls and she has constantly told others wherever we go.

What a joy it has been for us to sit back and watch the Lord at work in her heart, her new heart! Jesus called, “Talitha cumi,” and she did!