Learning and Praying through Tragedy

It seems that sad stories have been all around lately. Thankfully we have been spared of being in one, yet our hearts are so heavy for those around us experiencing them. Yet we know there are no guarantees in life so have been talking to and utilizing them as teaching moments with Derick.

Now as I parent I often question myself as to what is the right thing to do in so many different situations...what is appropriate for our 3 1/2 yr old to learn and what is best to shelter him from. Yet life is life and I want him to gain some understanding at how precious it is and also to learn how important it is to trust in God and especially learn that praying is so important.

As we shared the broken hearted story with him of a family that lost a baby..due within just a few days of his coming sister...he asked a number of questions like why and where is the baby now. As he heard of their other little 2 yr old boy, Derick really seemed to take it upon himself to pray for him. After lunch prayers and so often in the middle of the meal Derick would say...I want to pray for that little boy and he would do just that. Even at night after stories and prayers we sing songs...then he would remember and tell me again that he wanted to pray for that little boy. I am so thankful for his precious and sensitive heart...being prompted and he is following the lead from above.

Derick loves to check the mail and will open anything we allow him to get his hands on. Yesterday we recieved a letter requesting donations for the Haiti relief. He asked what is said and then a ton of other questions trying to make any sense of things. He didn't know why they needed our money. He said he didn't want to give any of his money because he likes to ride the motorcycle at Wal-Mart. Trying to explain to a 3 yr old how that compares to kids who have no food/water/houses/parents can be challenging. So I picked a few pictures off the web to show him of houses crumbled and kids looking for food/water in dirty places. He softened a little then said we could send them "one big money" [aka a quarter].

Today we recieved news of yet another tragedy, yet I am opting not to share with him as I know where to draw the line and not stress him too much. An extended relative lost her life due to pregnancy complications. She was due the day after I am. Thankfully the baby is ok, but sadly she will leave behind a husband to raise four young boys.

It's often so difficult to make sense of such tragedies, yet all there is left to trust God's purposes and plans are higher than our own. Yet why do I feel selfish when I stop to count all my blessings? I am reminded to be so very thankful for every moment and everyday...even through the rough days. I know what I experience is often just a minor aggravation rather then anything substantial. I hugged both my husband and son just a little bit tighter today and can only be greatful for what I do get to experience.

3 1/2 Years

Derick had been telling me on the way home from school that 3 1/2 year olds don't cry about silly things. I agreed and re-emphasized it is ok to cry if hurt or really, really sad, but there is no need to cry over silly things like toys or not always getting our way. He was telling me how he is so much bigger now...so we thought we would celebrate it and baked a cake with sprinkles. It will be interesting to see how a cake tastes with half a bottle of sprinkles in it...but that was his favorite part of helping...and one should never estimate how quick a preschooler can shake if you turn your back for a split second! :)

He started preschool again today after having a month off for Christmas vacation. I was concerned all our sleeping in until 8am would be tough to get back on schedule, but he must have been excited because he was up at 6:20am...the earliest in a couple months! He will be going 3 days a week now...Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. I think it will be good for both of us as we anticipate the arrival of baby sister and will be even better for after she is here!

Derick is also learning to ride his bike without training wheels. Since he has only had his bike (with training wheels) for about 5 months...I was thinking it was a little soon. What prompted it cracks me up. On the rare occasion we find ourselves at Walmart, Derick would plead to ride this motorcycle video game...one where you sit on and use the gas/break and looks like a crotchrocket. After coming in 2nd or 3rd place on this game...he started saying he wanted to ask Santa for one of these next year. Ricky insisted that he must learn to ride his bike without training wheels before they could think about getting a real motorcycle. Within the next couple days the training wheels on his bike came off and they have been practicing several times a week. As the mom I am going to have to think about how this is all going to work...as I didn't want my baby on a motorcycle bike (especially not this early!)