Because Jesus is the only one who could fix him...

Since Mr. Tom's death, Madison and I have had several conversations about what happened to her "Papa." Most of the time, these conversations are never prompted, they seem to just come out of the blue. For example, eating lunch with the girls, Madison would remember riding 4-wheelers with Papa, or see a horse and remember him and Barbara coming to watch her horseback ride for the first time. All of these memories are ones that she brings up. Sometimes the conversation starts and ends just as quickly, and other times like tonight, they are lengthy and involved.

At bedtime tonight, she chose a book about Jesus and the stable. It was a Christmas book, but she chose it to read before bedtime so we did. I was reading the words and not really paying attention to the pictures, when she asked me why angels were invisible. I thought about this question, and believing that some of the people I know are angels here on earth, started answering with that line of thought. I noticed the illustrations in the book showing the angels as translucent. And so I knew why she was asking, or so I thought. She then said, "Well, the angels that came and got Papa were invisible." She then asked why Papa had to go with the angels. I am always cautious with the way I word what happened to Papa, fearing that she will think that sickness leads to death, or that stomach problems lead to cancer. You get my drift.... Tonight I could tell with her questions that she needed more answers.

I tried to explain as best I could that cancer was the bad cells in our body and how they can take over the good. And that most of the time the medicine the doctors give can get rid of the bad, but that sometimes it just doesn't work. Sometimes the bad cells outnumber the good, and nothing the doctors can do will help. I wanted her to know that the doctors and her Papa did all they could. Wanting to end the conversation myself, because I was worried I was making things confusing or scary for her, I just said simply, "It was just time for Papa to go and be with Jesus. And it's a great place to be, at home with Jesus." And she looked up at me and smiled, and said as if to answer her own question, "Because Jesus is the only one who could fix him...."

I just smiled with tears in my eyes at her profound statement that came so simply, so matter-of-fact. Isn't that true for all of us, no matter what we are facing, that Jesus is the only One who can fix us!! Doesn't have to mean that we go to live with him to get "fixed." But He is the One to turn to. He is the One!!!


Dear Lord,
I am so thankful today for the blessing of having this conversation tonight with Madison and how through her 5 year old brain, you could reach me so loud and clear!! Help me to know that You are always the answer. Help me to have her child-like faith!
I love You, Amen