Man, that girl can ask some deep, tough questions.
During our drive to swimming lessons this morning, she asked me, "Mom, did God LET our babies die?"
I was taken back. I didn't realize my girls were still thinking through all of that stuff. And I wasn't sure how to answer. In my book, I took ten chapters to answer those hard questions on an adult level, I wasn't sure how to answer that on six-year-old, short attention span level.
"Yes, He did let them die," I answered her.
"Why?"
I tried to explain that it was never God's plan for anyone to die, but because sin is in the world, it has affected everything. There was something that went wrong in Mommy's body. Then I said, "I know it is a hard thing to understand. That is something I want to ask God about myself when we get to Heaven. But I know He is good. He did not let them die to hurt us."
"Yeah," she said. "Plus He gave us another baby. He just made mistakes."
"No, honey, God doesn't make mistakes. There was a reason that our babies couldn't stay with us. And He took care of Mommy when I was so sad."
"Yeah, Mommy how old are our babies in Heaven." I told you she asks tough questions.
"I don't think they have an age in Heaven. I think they are ageless because they will live forever."
"Oh. Well, then how old would they be if they were here with us?"
I named friends, cousins, and neighbors she knows that would be the same age as David, Micah, James, and Sarah.
Then her attention span led her off into something else, able to accept with childlike faith the answers I'd given her. She accepts so easily that she is not going to understand everything, but she asks the questions anyway. She wants to learn. She wants to understand, but when she can't, she trusts me and she trusts God for the things that are beyond her.
I need to learn that lesson. Seek God. Know Him more everyday. Ask the questions. Search the Bible for answers. And then trust Him for the things I can't figure out.
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8 comments:
We think we teach our children so much..., but it's amazing the things God can teach us though our children.
Blessings ~ Lisa
We should all have faith like that! Thanks for sharing.
It's so beautiful to see other mother's raising their children up in faith. I cringe sometimes when my children ask me tough questions like that. God always works it out though! I couldn't do it without Him. I'm enjoying following your blog...thanks!
A friend of mine recently lost a baby at 16 weeks because of turner's disease. She isn't a christian (I'm workin on her ;)) but she's been askign me a lot of questions. One of them was, "Why would God let this happen? The only thing I could say is, that as humans we only think in terms of our life span here on earth. It's hard for us to look beyond that because we don't understand forever. God thinks in terms of eternity! Fact is, there is no better place for her baby to be but with God, and he knew that. I had no other answer. It's so hard to know what to say. Especially to someone who still doesn't understand christianity/God. Not that I fully understand a lot either!! I wonder sometimes why babies/children die. but we know that they're with him, and that they never had the chance to get hurt here!! anyway, sorry, too long a response, but it reminded me of her question. Love you Beck!
Isn't it wonderful that God uses the beautiful, small voices of children to remind us of His love, mercy, grace and GREATNESS. Charlie is used like that all the time. Love you Beck.
First of all, Becky, I'm looking forward to reading your book when it is published.
Your littlest princess does ask tough questions! Questions I believe anyone who's gone through this would venture to ask. Her mind must always be movin'!
I lost a baby back in September. I was 11 weeks pregnant when I went to the doc because I was spotting. They didn't find a heartbeat. We had an ultrasound...nothing. Two more weeks went by...two more ultrasounds...then, a d&c because they were worried about infection. It was a hard time, but I was so thankful for the Lord's strength, hope, peace and comfort. What would we do without Him?!
So, all of that to say that I'm glad you told her that God is good and didn't want to hurt you. That he took care of you when you were sad. He really does love us and cares. We know there is a reason and we can trust Him even when we don't understand. Someday we will know why. Until then, we can trust that He has a plan. :)
I know you already know these truths, but wanted to share anyway. :)
Great answers Mom. I loved all the comments. Grandma
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